Flight Crew Student
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 37; Flight Crew Total 44; Flight Crew Type 44
Communication Breakdown
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
I am a solo student currently working to get my Private Pilot Certificate. I was flying back to ZZZ1. I needed to Divert due to [weather] at ZZZ. I chose to divert to ZZZ which was quite busy at time of incident due to bad weather at ZZZ1. I approached ZZZ noting the high volume of traffic in the pattern. Traffic was flowing to Runway 12 making it the main landing runway at the time of the incident. As traffic was unusually high; I made the call to remain North of ZZZ until the pattern had cleared up. I did exactly that; while making all the necessary advisory calls on the frequency. As I exited my hold to join the left downwind for Runway 12; I noted the aircraft I will be following was Aircraft Y (I received this information using an in cockpit ADS-B receiver). Upon reviewing traffic info on ADS-B receiver I was looking out of the window to try to make a visual reference with the traffic I was following. Unfortunately I was not immediately able to make visual reference with Aircraft Y however I did verify adequate separation using ADS-B. As I joined the left downwind for Runway 12 I diverted my attention to any possible hazards coming from the within the traffic pattern (causing me to divert my attention to the left). As I did this and have determined the left side of me to be clear I made the call to enter the left downwind for Runway 12. At this point I realized there was a low wing twin engine aircraft about 150 ft. above me heading in the opposite direction (upwind). I immediately realized it was Aircraft Y I was following. He had made a 180 degree turn from his downwind to attempt to rejoin. Although while doing that he flew right into the flow of traffic in the pattern. I quickly called up on the radio to try to understand if he had seen me. He replied something along the lines of we had you visual - all good).
C-172 Pilot reported a near mid air collision while on approach to landing following a diversion caused by thunderstorms.