Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 6; Flight Crew Total 72; Flight Crew Type 72
Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Airspace Structure
I was cruising on a heading of 180; 3;000 MSL 7 NM north of the town of Sandwich; IL. Using visual traffic avoidance techniques I noticed a plane off my left side approximately at my 7 - 8 O'clock position at the same altitude appearing to be flying in formation with me. Upon continued observation I noticed the plane heading in my direction on what certainly appeared to be a collision course. I'd had my beacon light; Nav lights and anti collision strobes on at the time but the pilot of the plane either didn't see me or didn't think he was going to hit me. Once I realized that a collision was imminent with the aircraft less than 200 yards away and approaching fast I pulled the engine throttle to idle pushed hard forward on the yoke to initiate an immediate dive and banked to the right to help exacerbate altitude loss. I dove down about 400 FT before recovering from that attitude. After stabilizing the airplane on a heading of 210 degrees I looked out; up and right of my windshield and noticed the other aircraft at its same altitude flying along its original course. I was unable to identify the airplane at the time. I immediately made a left turn to 090 degrees to return to my home airport. The entire incident from notice of traffic to performing evasive maneuvers was less than 15 seconds.
C172 pilot reports a NMAC west of ORD Class B at 3;000 FT with another aircraft closing from the 7:30 position. Evasive action is taken by diving and turning but the other aircraft continues on heading and altitude apparently unaware of the situation.