Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 25; Flight Crew Total 1480; Flight Crew Type 850
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
While approaching [the airport] I monitored the frequency from 30 miles out. There were multiple [flight school] aircraft training in the pattern doing closed circuit work. It was clear that the students were not fully familiar with the English language; however; the instructors were not on the radios except to occasionally speak with each other. Given the difficulty the student pilots had with the language; it was very difficult for me to get situational awareness as to how many planes were in the pattern. I called my intentions to join the right pattern for runway 28; which was currently in use; at 15 NM; 10 NM; and 5 NM out. I then called a 45-to-right-downwind; listening for and looking for traffic. When I turned downwind a [flight school] aircraft was approximately 150 feet off my right wingtip and at the same 1000 foot altitude. I called an immediate left 360-degree turn; performed the turn; and re-entered the pattern. Upon re-entering I saw a plane on final and another turning base. I asked if the plane I had had the near miss with had seen me. An English-speaking instructor came on the frequency and stated he had seen me and heard me call my positions and intentions. Neither he nor his student were transmitting position reports on that circuit of the pattern. I landed behind that plane; which did a touch-and-go and departed the pattern.
The pilot of a small experimental aircraft reported a near midair collision at a non-towered airport.