Narrative:

PA28 was operating under part 91 for its owner to maintain instrument currency. The pilot [flying] was a commercial pilot and certified flight instructor; wearing a view-limiting device; and the safety pilot was an instrument-rated private pilot.the PA28 was operating IFR in the form of a tec route to ZZZ. At the time of the event; the PA28 was at roughly 3;500 MSL near zzzzz while flying the RNAV (GPS) Z runway 26 approach into ZZZ. The PA28 was in contact with approach control. The approach was stable and the PA28 was not maneuvering.while scanning for traffic; the safety pilot in the PA28 noticed a piper cub (black; with narrow horizontal yellow stripes) become visible in the bottom left of the windshield. The cub appeared to be climbing and maneuvering; and seemed to bank to its right. The safety pilot of the PA28 took control and executed a steep right turn to avoid the traffic. When the cub was well behind the PA28; the safety pilot relinquished the flight controls and the other pilot completed the approach and landing.the safety pilot contacted approach to report the near miss and inquired whether the cub was in contact with the controller; the controller advised that the cub was not.the visibility of the cub from the PA28 cockpit; given the relative positions of the aircraft; was limited to nonexistent until their altitudes were almost exactly equal.the near miss could have been avoided if the approach controller had notified the PA28 of the approaching cub; but it is unknown to the pilots of the PA28 whether the cub had a transponder or was visible on radar as even a primary contact. In any event; the cub pilot's traffic scan appears to have been deficient; and the climb/maneuvering along a published instrument approach procedure while not in contact with ATC; which were the major contributing factors.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA28 Safety Pilot reported an NMAC with a Piper Cub.

Narrative: PA28 was operating under Part 91 for its owner to maintain instrument currency. The Pilot [Flying] was a commercial pilot and certified flight instructor; wearing a view-limiting device; and the Safety Pilot was an instrument-rated private pilot.The PA28 was operating IFR in the form of a TEC route to ZZZ. At the time of the event; the PA28 was at roughly 3;500 MSL near ZZZZZ while flying the RNAV (GPS) Z RWY 26 approach into ZZZ. The PA28 was in contact with Approach Control. The approach was stable and the PA28 was not maneuvering.While scanning for traffic; the Safety Pilot in the PA28 noticed a Piper Cub (black; with narrow horizontal yellow stripes) become visible in the bottom left of the windshield. The Cub appeared to be climbing and maneuvering; and seemed to bank to its right. The Safety Pilot of the PA28 took control and executed a steep right turn to avoid the traffic. When the Cub was well behind the PA28; the Safety Pilot relinquished the flight controls and the other pilot completed the approach and landing.The Safety Pilot contacted Approach to report the near miss and inquired whether the Cub was in contact with the controller; the controller advised that the Cub was not.The visibility of the Cub from the PA28 cockpit; given the relative positions of the aircraft; was limited to nonexistent until their altitudes were almost exactly equal.The near miss could have been avoided if the Approach Controller had notified the PA28 of the approaching Cub; but it is unknown to the pilots of the PA28 whether the Cub had a transponder or was visible on radar as even a primary contact. In any event; the Cub pilot's traffic scan appears to have been deficient; and the climb/maneuvering along a published instrument approach procedure while not in contact with ATC; which were the major contributing factors.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.