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Pilot doesn’t avoid near miss because he was busy making position reports

By NASA · December 23, 2021 ·

This is an excerpt from a report made to the Aviation Safety Reporting System. The narrative is written by the pilot, rather than FAA or NTSB officials. To maintain anonymity, many details, such as aircraft model or airport, are often scrubbed from the reports.

En route to Friday Harbor Airport (KFHR) in Washington. Approximately 30 nm south of the airport, escaped a near mid-air collision with a plane coming from behind and overtaking us.

We received a traffic report from Whidbey Approach of traffic 300 feet above at our 6 o’clock a few miles behind.

Next transmission was “traffic descending to same altitude, gaining speed.”

We diverted 10° left of course for traffic avoidance, however they also followed our left course. Whidbey transmission: “Traffic right behind you/on you 6 to 5 o’clock.”

I spotted them nearly hitting our wing and diverted into a steep 50° turn left to avoid the collision.

Upon later confronting the other pilot, he said he didn’t move even though he saw us because he was making position reports on the UNICOM.

Primary Problem: Human Factors

ACN: 1820640 


About NASA

NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) captures confidential reports, analyzes the resulting aviation safety data, and disseminates vital information to the aviation community.

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Comments

  1. Mac says

    December 24, 2021 at 11:37 am

    Non towered airport, we were watching a plane going to the same airport as we were. Announced our position, he announced his, we were close enough to cause some spacing problems, he was closer at seven miles out, I was ten. I announced a 360 for spacing and I would be #2 for runway 14.
    We seen another plane on the iPad and announced entering DW for 14. The third plane announced he was intending landing 32. I then announced DW for 14. Winds were calm, AWOS down but you could see the slow wind direction from smoke drift from a factory, best for 14 and I was #2 for 14. I think #3 wanted to do a practice instrument approach to 32. I was surprised how fast #3 was moving by his position announcements. He changed to landing #3 for 14 extended his DW and landed behind me. I landed long and got off 14 as fast as safety possible and when I was exiting 14 he was close to landing. He passed my hangar as I was shutting down. Turned out he was a 6 passenger 12000 HP single turbo prop.
    New owner.
    No real problem but shows how what good position reports and good communication work, and yes the iPad.
    My non pilot Wife, Co-pilot watching the iPad and out side for traffic.
    I learn from others and I hope this will help others from my experience.

  2. Steve says

    December 24, 2021 at 9:24 am

    Since I fly in and out of uncontrolled airspace, I’m considering just leaving the radio turned off, teaching students to concentrate on flying the airplane while practicing see and avoid to the extreme … yeah, I know this is inadvisable. But then again, maybe a good teaching “scenario.”

  3. Widget says

    December 24, 2021 at 9:16 am

    I’d hate to be behind either one of these guys coming up to a roundabout! Good lord!

  4. scott says

    December 24, 2021 at 7:28 am

    Coming from behind, you spotted him nearly hitting your wing, then diverted to avoid….huh?
    You’re not hearing his position reports to Approach?
    Approach is using “right behind you on your 6 to 5 o’clock” terminology?
    You’re not questioning any of this with approach or the other plane?
    And all of this 30 miles from the airport….interesting to say the least.

    • Bob says

      December 27, 2021 at 8:20 am

      My thought exactly!

  5. Bibocas says

    December 24, 2021 at 5:42 am

    Exactly Anon! Over and out. Merry Christmas

  6. Gordon Gunter says

    December 24, 2021 at 5:20 am

    The big thing here is at least no one has gone west, yes there were mistakes made. From day 1 I was taught see and avoid the radio can wait for a few seconds until you take care of the plane.

    • Warren Webb Jr says

      December 24, 2021 at 7:58 am

      Yes. It’s aviate, navigate, communicate, not communicate, navigate, aviate.

  7. Anon says

    December 24, 2021 at 4:40 am

    Shoulda done a BIG avoidance vector, not some little 10 degree move. Over.

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