PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 1200; Flight Crew Type 1100
Other / Unknown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Procedure; Human Factors
IFR flight plan in VMC under Dover control. Traffic called at 7 miles at ten o'clock and I called that I saw it. Traffic was squawking Mode C and was called at 4;100 feet; I was at 4;000 feet. Traffic heading northwest. I was on V16 heading southwest. I let traffic get close; but at one point I decided to dive the aircraft rapidly to 3;200 feet and turned to keep eyes on the other aircraft...informed ATC of maneuver and that 'that was close.' Other aircraft never took any action. Climbed back to 4;000 feet and continued flight without further event. The other aircraft was not at proper VFR cruise altitude.
P28A pilot reported he took evasive action and dove to avoid an aircraft he perceived to be a collision threat.