Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 35; Flight Crew Total 580; Flight Crew Type 450
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Conflict NMAC
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
While level at 4;000 feet on an Instrument Flight Rules flight plan the aircraft I was flying had a close call with a low wing single engine aircraft positioned 1-2 o'clock approaching head-on at same altitude. I; the pilot did not hear any radio calls by Approach Control regarding this traffic conflict well in advance until the other aircraft was approaching very close off the right side of the C172. The other aircraft made a sharp left climbing turn to avoid my aircraft while I dropped the nose to lose some altitude. It happened so quickly as I saw the traffic probably approximately 200-500 feet horizontal separation coming right at me as my aircraft flew past by him or her nearly missing my tail area by a vertical separation estimating approximately 50-100 feet or so; respectively. About 2-3 seconds prior I saw the other aircraft quickly approaching me; Approach was on the radio saying 'I was trying to give you traffic on somebody that just crossing on top of you; did you even see him?' At that point; I saw the aircraft REALLY close from my position and replied back to Approach I saw the traffic and that was a close one.' Approach Control frequency was congested and was blocked by multiple calls at times. Even though; I was flying a Cessna 172L Skyhawk with just basic flight instruments while IFR in VMC; I still need to have an effective visual scan in a highly concentrated airspace. Luckily a potential catastrophic event was avoided.
C172 pilot reported a near midair collision due to congested airspace and radios.