Cessna 150
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 2; Flight Crew Total 100; Flight Crew Type 9
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
I had just taken off from a touch and go on Runway XX with my non-pilot girlfriend in the right seat. I had decided to bring her along to do some pattern work with me; and was making clear radio calls on my position in the traffic pattern. Upon turning crosswind; I heard a radio call from a Piper Cherokee in a thick foreign accent reporting on a 45 for the left downwind to Runway XX. After hearing their call; I made my crosswind call; and began to look for the traffic. I turned onto downwind; still looking for the Cherokee; and made my downwind call. At that time the Cherokee [pilot] made a call that they were entering the downwind and had 'traffic in sight;' which I assumed was me. At that time I did not have them in sight and stopped looking; assuming that the Cherokee [pilot] was maintaining separation with me. I reported midfield and heard the Cherokee within seconds also report midfield. I had a sinking feeling that something was not right and began looking for the Cherokee with my girlfriend's help. I couldn't see the Cherokee to my right; left; or behind me. I looked up in the skylights and saw the Cherokee approximately 50 feet above and slightly ahead of me descending. At that time I immediately descended and exited the pattern; briefly said some unfriendly but radio appropriate words to the Cherokee; came back around and re-entered the pattern from a 45 for the left downwind to Runway XX.I think the largest factor in the near-miss was my assumption that the Cherokee did indeed have me in sight and would maintain separation with me; with other contributing factors including myself flying a high wing aircraft looking for low wing traffic above me; creating a situation where we were both in each other's blind spots. A lesser factor; in my opinion; was a language barrier between myself and the Cherokee [pilot]. I suspect the Cherokee [pilot] might not have fully understood what he was saying; which goes back into my bad assumption that the Cherokee [pilot] indeed had me in sight and was maintaining separation. In the future I need to be more vigilant in the traffic pattern; especially at ZZZ which is a very busy GA airport. Most of my flying has been done at a Bravo airport and traffic separation is the responsibility of ATC. I can also be more forward with my CTAF communication and ask the pilot if he indeed has me in sight and is maintaining proper separation.
C150 pilot reported a NMAC while in traffic pattern at a non-towered airport.