Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Workload; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Airport; Human Factors
I was inbound to the CGZ airport; about 3 nm northeast. I reported my position on the CTAF and that I was planning a left downwind entry to the active runway; which was Runway 05. There was a fair number of trainer aircraft in the vicinity of the TFD VOR executing practice instrument approaches. A light twin announced that he was upwind of runway 5; then crosswind. Since I knew that his departure could result in a possible conflict; I maintained extra caution and vigilance. Even so; I did not see the northbound aircraft until it was above the horizon; about 1/8 mile away. There wasn't enough time for evasive action; the aircraft passed behind me. This kind of incident may be a precursor to possible in-flight collisions at this airport because of very heavy training activity with many non-standard operations. Exacerbating the situation was the fact that numerous training aircraft over the TFD VOR (8 miles southwest) were communication with each other with information on altitudes; distances from the fix; type of approaches they were doing; all on the CTAF for CGZ. All of this continuous radio chatter precluded my opportunity to announce my position as I entered downwind and may have been a factor as to why the other aircraft failed to see my aircraft.
Pilot reported that high traffic volume and frequency congestion at a non-towered airport resulted in a NMAC.