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Cessna 172 pilot reported that a loss of visual contact with another aircraft and loss of situational awareness resulted in a near midair collision.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1692640 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201910 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | BLI.Airport |
| State Reference | WA |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Dusk |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Initial Approach |
| Route In Use | VFR Route |
| Flight Plan | VFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Single Pilot Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Private |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 4 Flight Crew Total 367 Flight Crew Type 273 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Conflict NMAC |
| Miss Distance | Horizontal 0 Vertical 500 |
Narrative:
I was approaching the northwest reporting point at approximately 2;000 ft. Heading 270. I heard another aircraft reporting inbound for landing and observed him at approximately pattern altitude heading approximately 090 and turning right. ATC requested him to report 2 mile right base. I called ATC about 30 seconds afterward; reporting over a lake with traffic in sight. I was told that I was number 2 and to report 2 mile right base for runway 16. At this point I lost visual contact with the other aircraft as I turned onto my base leg and began scanning. I saw a beacon that appeared to be the aircraft turning onto final. At 2 miles I had not heard the other aircraft call yet; however; I called ATC and reported. The controller was confused as he had not heard the other aircraft report. A moment later I saw the other aircraft approximately 500 ft. Below me turn left and indicated to ATC he was making a 360 degree turn to give way to me. ATC advised him to continue to land and that I was cleared to land number two. I am just returning to flying after 25 years and I am rusty but this was a real wake up call. I realize that I did many things wrong. I should have maintained visual contact. I should have taken initial action to give greater separation. I should have asked when I lost contact and I should not have assumed I had regained contact when I was not totally sure. I should have questioned why I had not heard the other aircraft report.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: Cessna 172 pilot reported that a loss of visual contact with another aircraft and loss of situational awareness resulted in a NMAC.
Narrative: I was approaching the northwest reporting point at approximately 2;000 ft. heading 270. I heard another aircraft reporting inbound for landing and observed him at approximately pattern altitude heading approximately 090 and turning right. ATC requested him to report 2 mile right base. I called ATC about 30 seconds afterward; reporting over a lake with traffic in sight. I was told that I was number 2 and to report 2 mile right base for Runway 16. At this point I lost visual contact with the other aircraft as I turned onto my base leg and began scanning. I saw a beacon that appeared to be the aircraft turning onto final. At 2 miles I had not heard the other aircraft call yet; however; I called ATC and reported. The Controller was confused as he had not heard the other aircraft report. A moment later I saw the other aircraft approximately 500 ft. below me turn left and indicated to ATC he was making a 360 degree turn to give way to me. ATC advised him to continue to land and that I was cleared to land number two. I am just returning to flying after 25 years and I am rusty but this was a real wake up call. I realize that I did many things wrong. I should have maintained visual contact. I should have taken initial action to give greater separation. I should have asked when I lost contact and I should not have assumed I had regained contact when I was not totally sure. I should have questioned why I had not heard the other aircraft report.
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.