Flight Instructor and pilot reported a NMAC at a non-towered airport. Both aircraft took evasive action to avoid a collision.
Synopsis
Flight Instructor and pilot reported a NMAC at a non-towered airport. Both aircraft took evasive action to avoid a collision.
Narrative
On Day 0 I was conducting a flight review with a pilot and owner of the Cessna 150. We were conducting multiple landings and takeoffs of different types. On the landing prior to the near miss we had done a landing to a full stop and then we taxied back to Runway XX threshold. During the taxi a Cessna 172 landed and appeared to takeoff (touch and go) since we never saw the plane again. Once we got to the hold short line for Runway XX we announced on radio that we were taking off and staying in the pattern.Reports were made by us (meaning Pilot Flying; since I did not have a push to talk). When on downwind; I mentioned to the Pilot Flying that we have not heard that other plane on the radio and thought that they must have left the area. I told Pilot Flying to conduct a short field landing on this approach. During the turn from base to final; the Pilot Flying announced on the radio 'turning final for XX'. A second or two later a voice came over the radio saying 'look below you'. When I heard this I looked down from the right side window; puzzled by who was talking on the radio. The Pilot Flying then told me he could see a plane low but on his side. The Cessna came into my view at that time since we were in a descent. I grabbed the yoke and turned the plane to the right and told Pilot Flying to continue away from the Cessna. The Cessna 172 then did a go around and turned away to the left; and pilot on radio said he was leaving the area and that he wanted our tail number (note that the voice of the pilot of the Cessna 172 was the same voice that said 'look below you'. His radio transmission was clear and readable. We circled around and landed without any further incident with the Cessna 172. After putting the plane in the hangar we went the pilot lounge at the airport and came in contact with the Airport Manager; who has a radio on that is tuned to the local airport CTAF frequency. I asked him if he had heard us on the radio; he said yes. I asked if had heard the other aircraft on the radio he said no. I can't speak to what the pilot (Cessna 172) was doing on final or where he had came from; since no radio transmissions were heard by me or the Pilot Flying. I do know that this airport is frequented by student pilots/instructors for traffic pattern work.
Second reporter narrative
On Day 0; my instructor and I were conducting my BFR (Biennial Flight Review) in my Cessna 150. We were performing practice exercises; which included some takeoffs and landings on Runway XX at ZZZ. On a previous landing prior to the near miss; we completed a full stop landing and then taxied back to Runway XX. During taxi; a Cessna 172 landed and then did a takeoff. After its takeoff we did not know the whereabouts of the Cessna 172. When we got to the hold short line of Runway XX; I announced a takeoff and reported remaining in the pattern. Announcements were made at crosswind and the downwind segments. During the downwind segment; my instructor mentioned and concluded that the Cessna 172 had most likely left the area. There were no other incoming aircraft announcements or any other aircraft in sight. It was then decided; it would be safe to complete a short field landing on Runway XX. I then announced and turned the base leg; and afterwards; announced the turn to final for Runway XX. A couple of seconds later; a voice came over the radio saying; 'Look below you'. When we heard this; my instructor and I immediately looked down not knowing where this radio transmission came from. I spotted a Cessna 172 below us and off to my left. We immediately turned to the right; away from the Cessna 172. The Cessna 172 never landed; but executed a climbing left turn. We then heard another announcement regarding the intention to depart the area. Note that the departure announcement voice was the same voice that announced; 'Look below you'. These transmissions were clear and readable. We circled back and landed on XX without any further incident with the Cessna 172. We never saw the Cessna 172 again. After returning my plane to the hanger at ZZZ; we went to the pilots' lounge where we came in contact with the airport's FBO assistant. The FBO assistant has a radio tuned to the local CTAF frequency. There was also another gentleman present. We asked them if they had heard our radio announcements. They both replied; 'Yes'. We asked if they heard other aircraft announcing intentions to land at that time. They both replied; 'No'. We were unable to determine the origin or the flight path of the Cessna 172; which we spotted on final; or where it had come from. It may or may not have been the same Cessna 172 that we saw taking off earlier. It is possible that it was a different Cessna 172 not making radio announcements; for whatever reason; with the intention to land at ZZZ. There is a GPS approach on [Runway] XX at ZZZ. It is possible that it was an aircraft on a practice approach failing to make position announcements. This could easily explain the flight path of the Cessna 172; and the reason it was below us and to the left.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.