Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 5; Flight Crew Total 550; Flight Crew Type 500
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
I was performing pattern work at LOM. Although there was a moderate amount of commercial and private traffic; no sequencing problems arose until Aircraft Y ignored my radio calls that I was turning left downwind and took advantage of an altitude below the standard 1500 feet pattern at LOM to pass my aircraft AFTER I was established on left downwind. I expressed surprise over the radio but was met only with laughter. Aircraft Y continued ahead of me and landed at LOM. After landing; I asked the pilot why he cut me off in the pattern. His excuse was 'you were above pattern altitude.' I am based at LOM and hold pattern altitude religiously once turning downwind from the upwind/crosswind climb. He was at perhaps 1300 feet. I made a corrective maneuver and did not attempt to reassert my position as #1 in the pattern. On the ground; his passenger stated 'you only announced left crosswind;' a lie; as the crew at LOM (who heard the incident on the radio) always joke with me for announcing my every turn and position. The pilot did not respond when I quoted the FAR that states an aircraft at a lower altitude (in this case; deliberately below the official pattern altitude at LOM) shall NOT take advantage of that fact to cut off another aircraft [on final; but this goes for any leg of the pattern.]I think my hands have finally stopped shaking. A student pilot with fewer hours would have been traumatized by the close call.
GA pilot reported on downwind at LOM being passed underneath by another GA aircraft that continued on to a landing that required a corrective maneuver for separation.