Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
On IFR flight at 4;000 ft.; approximately 10 nm. west of FIN (within A-293); we narrowly missed colliding with Aircraft Y. ATC and flight crew had been monitoring the aircraft for a few min at our altitude as it drifted to close proximity several times. Then Aircraft Y turned head-on so we diverted right to avoid; when suddenly they turned again into our path. Instructor Pilot took controls and dived left as Aircraft Y continued turning into our original flight path (near miss at approximately 500 ft. apart laterally). Once separated we continued per our flight plan with no further disruption.
C172 flight instructor reported an NMAC with another light aircraft during cruise.