Cessna 350
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 39; Flight Crew Total 990; Flight Crew Type 750
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airport; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
I started up my airplane on the ramp and did preflight checks. The ATIS reported clear sky and winds calm; and although my direction of flight would be to the south; I was monitoring the CTAF and heard traffic using Runway 34; so I decided to use 34 and I taxied to the runway. My passenger was a pilot who I knew as a fellow board member of our local flying association; but we had not flown together before this. About 15 feet from the runway hold-short lines; where I performed the run-up and final preflight checks; I heard two other pilots on CTAF. One reported on downwind for Runway 34; another reported 5 miles south planning Runway 34. I observed the airplane on downwind. I taxied to the hold short lines; paused; looked both ways and said to myself; 'no traffic on final; nothing on the runway.' It is relevant that I could not actually see clearly all the way to the end of the 6;000 FT runway due to bright sun and glare; although I was wearing amber sunglasses. I was aware of my pilot-passenger looking down the runway as well; he made no comment and we were no longer chatting once I crossed the hold short lines. I reported taking Runway 34 for a left downwind departure; rolled onto the runway; powered up and rotated about 1/3 of the way down the runway. At 50-100 FT AGL I was surprised to see a high-wing single-engine airplane at the same altitude climbing in the opposite direction--evidently having just taken off from Runway 16. I immediately turned to my right; banking about 15 degrees; and within a few seconds we had passed one another with about 20 feet horizontal clearance. I returned wings level to resume a normal climb on course. Immediately after we were clear; we both remarked that we had not heard the other pilot transmitting on CTAF and we were amazed that someone would takeoff opposite the traffic and without talking to traffic. I transmitted on CTAF; 'Yolo County traffic; be advised there is an airplane that just took off Runway 16; not on frequency.' I next heard on the radio; 'I am on frequency.' I next heard another voice on the radio: 'I heard him report.' I said; 'I didn't hear him.' I next heard from the opposite direction pilot; 'We almost had 2 dead pilots there.'I completed the flight; and afterward reflected about what happened and factors that might have contributed to the situation. To explain why I did not hear the other pilot report his takeoff; if he actually did; I can only speculate that perhaps we were transmitting at the same time and that's why I did not hear him (and; presumably; he did not hear me). Other possible contributing factors: I was not anticipating that anyone would be taking off on the opposite runway even though winds were calm because all other traffic were using Runway 34. Also; I was feeling casual and chatting somewhat with my passenger; and while I felt I was attentive to my duties and was definitely listening on the radio; I was not maintaining a 'sterile cockpit' which would have meant zero extraneous conversation and less potential distraction.
A Cessna 350 pilot departing from a non-towered airport suffered an NMAC with a high wing single taking off opposite direction from the same runway. After the event; both pilots declared themselves to have been utilizing appropriate CTAF procedures; declaring their position and intentions prior to their takeoffs.