Scout 8GCBC
Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 14000; Flight Crew Type 10000
Other / Unknown
Conflict NMAC; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
I am a pipeline patrol pilot and was starting on a patrol. I was departing from my private airstrip making a normal left hand pattern departure. Under the crosswind part was an auto accident. I took a couple photos as I was climbing out and continued left turn until I was on a 040 degree heading toward an airport where I top off my fuel. It is a little used uncontrolled airport and I was monitoring UNICOM. It was a perfect weather day where visibility was forever. I saw or heard no other traffic. On downwind; I radioed; 'On left downwind for two'. Then the radio cracked with something I didn't understand; except I did hear [the airport name and a broken call sign]. So I radioed; what is your position? The State Trooper radioed that he was at my two o'clock and would see me on the ramp. I looked over and he was about 200 FT horizontal and 50 FT vertical on my right side. That scared me to death because he wasn't there a second or two earlier. I told him that since I was inside him in the pattern; I would go ahead and land. Once again he said something about seeing me on the ramp. The fuel truck met me as I got to the ramp as usual. I was up on the ladder fueling when the trooper came over and said; 'step down from that ladder.' I told him I would be finished in a few seconds. He said once again; 'step down from that ladder NOW!' I turned around and it looked like his right hand was where the gun should be. I had to stop and hand the hose to the fuel driver. He asked me if my name was Mr X; so I was already checked out. Then he asked if I had any weapons. I told him I didn't have any. He said; 'you sure you don't have any weapons?' I again told him no. Then he asked if I had any knives. I said yes and handed him my Swiss Army knife; which he didn't take. I was being bullied. I handed him my medical and commercial license after he demanded them. He wanted to know how long I have been flying. He said I was flying low. I said yes; I was; I told him I have a low level waiver for my work and I had just departed my strip and flew to [this airport] at a safe altitude. He made me nervous and I think whatever his job is; he should not be chasing other airplanes like that.
Scout pilot reports being intercepted and followed to his destination by a State Trooper. On the ground the reporter is accused of flying too low.