Socata (Aerospatiale); Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 7; Flight Crew Total 1150; Flight Crew Type 600
Communication Breakdown
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
Flying alone to OEO; I crossed the Manzano Mountains and began a descent into the Estancia valley. Proceeding directly to OEO; I called in my position approximately 10 miles SW of the airport. I announced my intentions as planning to enter a left downwind for runway 26 since the wind was from the southwest; and do a touch and go landing on runway 26. There was no other radio traffic at this time. I called again at 7 miles out and restated my intentions. No other radio transmissions from other aircraft. I called again 4 miles out and stated that I would be entering the downwind leg of the 26 pattern over the water tower… a visual fix used by pilots for pattern entry. No radio traffic other than my transmissions.I called over the water tower that I was in the downwind leg of the left pattern for 26 and would be making a touch and go. At this point I was in the approach phase and looking at the runway when I heard a transmission on CTAF. 'Glider (didn't catch call sign) is over the water tower turning downwind for 26.' I looked up and saw the aircraft turning into the pattern from the south about 200 feet above and 400 feet ahead and slightly to the left in a descending right hand turn to the downwind heading (080 degrees). I made an immediate right turn to the south and transmitted that I was also over the water tower and was leaving the pattern to the south to establish another pattern reentry from the southwest. I heard no other transmissions and turned west to allow the glider time to land and reversed course about 3 miles southwest and reentered the pattern while calling my position. I asked the glider for a position report and the glider replied that it was over the runway about to touch down. I flew the downwind leg and asked if the glider had cleared the runway. When that was confirmed; I turned base and final and executed an uneventful touch and go and completed the flight.I have no way of knowing if the glider was on the frequency or had the volume up when I was making position reports inbound. Inasmuch as the glider was a low wing aircraft; the port wing must have blocked me from the gliders field of vision as it came into the pattern from the south and was turning right to 080 degrees. There was no other traffic in the area and no problems resulted from this situation.
Socata pilot experiences an NMAC with a glider while entering the pattern and making standard position reports. The glider pilot made one position report at pattern entry. The reporter turned out of the pattern and returned after the glider had landed.