Flight Instructor and student pilot reported noticing another aircraft in the area and flying opposite direction to them during cruise; resulting in the Flight Instructor taking evasive action to avoid a collision with the other aircraft.
Synopsis
Flight Instructor and student pilot reported noticing another aircraft in the area and flying opposite direction to them during cruise; resulting in the Flight Instructor taking evasive action to avoid a collision with the other aircraft.
Narrative
On Day 0 I flight instructor Person A and Student Pilot Person B took off for a training flight. We had just reached cruise a few minutes prior and were preparing to do our clearing turns for our maneuvers. At approximately XA:25 another aircraft was noticed in the practice area by the tail number of Aircraft Y; this aircraft was noticed through Foreflight that was connected to the aircraft to receive traffic information. The aircraft was displaying that it was 3;000 feet below our aircraft (Aircraft X)'s flight path. At approximately XA:30 the aircraft was spotted by I; Person A; appearing to be less than a mile same altitude. This aircraft had been obstructed from visual scan due to sun shining on the front of the aircraft allowed the aircraft to appear as clouds that were behind it due to a white glossy appearance. When the aircraft was noticed the flight instructor took controls of the aircraft by pitching down the aircraft in an attempt to avoid the opposite direction aircraft. Due to the proximity of the oncoming plane little change of altitude was changed before the aircraft had passed before I then pitched the aircraft back up to resume original state of flight. A right turn was not begun as in accordance with 14 CFR 91.113 due to risk of rising wing being a potential for collision. Shortly after I tried to contact the pilots of the aircraft on the practice area frequency of XXX.X which was being monitored and reported on at the time of the incident but there was no response. I notified other pilots on the frequency of this aircraft and proceeded to turn back to our airport of origin ZZZ. ZZZ Approach was also asked if they were talking to this aircraft; but the controller was not familiar with the callsign. After landing the local FSDO was called to report the incident as well as ZZZ TRACON.
Second reporter narrative
On Day 0 I Student Pilot Person A with flight instructor Person B took off for a training flight. We has just reached cruise altitude and were preparing to practice maneuvers. At approximately XA:25 the aircraft was spotted by Person B appearing to be less than a mile same altitude. This aircraft had been obstructed from visual scan due to sun shining on the front of the aircraft allowed the aircraft to appear as clouds that were behind it due to a white glossy appearance. When the aircraft was noticed instructor took controls of the aircraft by pitching down the aircraft in an attempt to avoid the opposite direction aircraft. Due to the proximity of the oncoming plane little change of altitude was changed before the aircraft had passed before Person B then pitched the aircraft back up to resume original state of flight. A right turn was not begun as in accordance with 14 CER 91.113 due to risk of rising wing being a potential for collision. Shortly after I tried to contact the pilots of the aircraft on the practice area frequency of XXX.X which was being monitored and reported on at the time of the incident but there was no response. I notified other pilots on the frequency of this aircraft and proceeded to turn back to our airport of origin ZZZ. ZZZ Approach was also asked if they were talking to this aircraft; but the controller was not familiar with the callsign. After landing the local FSDO was called to report the incident as well as ZZZ Tracon.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.