An Instructor at 2;000 FT over 5R4 (Collier Airpark) reported taking evasive during a near miss with an inbound aircraft both of which were making position reports.

2011-08 · NASA ASRS report 964658

Date: 2011-08 · Aircraft: Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear · Phase: cruise

Anomalies: conflict-nmac|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy

Synopsis

An Instructor at 2;000 FT over 5R4 (Collier Airpark) reported taking evasive during a near miss with an inbound aircraft both of which were making position reports.

Narrative

The reporting aircraft was performing steep turns over Collier Airpark; a private airstrip located 5 miles west/southwest of Foley Municipal Airport. The flight was conducted under VFR with visibility 5 plus statute miles and at an altitude of 2;000 FT MSL. Multiple radio calls for position announcements and clearing turns were performed prior to maneuver as Foley is a high volume traffic area; with numerous aircraft conducting similar training activities on behalf of the Navy. A low wing type aircraft reported being 6 miles west of Foley Airport inbound to Foley and descending from 2;500 FT MSL. The reporting aircraft announced that the inbound aircraft was not in sight and received similar call from that aircraft. The reporting aircraft immediately ceased maneuvering to attempt to obtain visual contact with inbound traffic. Traffic was sighted on a converging course at same altitude on the left side of the reporting aircraft moving in an apparent motion from left to right. The Instructor of the reporting aircraft initiated an immediate left turn to avoid inbound traffic. The aircraft missed one another by less than 200 FT horizontally and were at the same altitude at the time the incident occurred. The pilot of the inbound performed no evasive action and remained wings level throughout the event. After the incident the pilot of inbound aircraft blamed the reporting aircraft for not announcing its position properly despite numerous calls made stating that air work was occurring over Collier Airpark at 2;000 FT; and despite the fact that communication had been established between both aircraft immediately prior to the incident. Reporting aircraft Instructor has noticed numerous examples of safety being compromised by the pilot of the inbound aircraft prior to incident. The pilot is a frequent visitor to Foley airport and has a habit of excessively rushing through takeoffs; landings; and his arrival and departure from the aircraft itself. The reporting aircraft had to evade to the left in a nonstandard manner; as a standard evasive right turn would have resulted in a turn into the inbound traffic. Foley Airport has numerous training aircraft operating in its vicinity; transient Navy traffic; and transient civilian arrivals. Position announcements are no substitute for visual contact. Factors influencing the incident include the high volume of traffic around Foley; a disregard for maneuvering traffic by the pilot of the inbound aircraft; and a lack of visual contact between both aircraft prior to the near miss. The high wing layout the Reporter's aircraft and the inbound aircraft's low wing configuration were also likely partial contributory factors. This incident proves that extreme vigilance must be exercised by all aircraft in a high volume traffic area.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.

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