PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 204; Flight Crew Type 203
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
Pleasure flight with 3 souls on board. I was PIC. I announced my 10 mile and then 5 mile location for approach once in proximity to ZZZ. The airport was busy with multiple departing and arriving targets using Runway XX. A Skyhawk was also inbound and announced its position which was about 200 feet above my indicated altitude; same distance and approximate location from airport (2 miles north of the field at that point). I transmitted 'entering the left 45 for XX and looking for that inbound traffic' as I was entering the 45. As a precaution; I entered the downwind lower than pattern altitude to avoid potential conflict; by 300-500 feet. I called my left downwind for Runway XX and about 5-10 seconds later the Skyhawk also called 'left downwind for XX'. About that same time; I had him in sight; approximately 200 feet horizontal/slightly ahead and about 300 feet above my location near midfield on downwind I announced; 'Skyhawk I have you in sight'. He replied; 'Cherokee I don't have you in sight yet'. I responded with; 'Skyhawk; you are on my 3 o'clock just above me'. The Skyhawk responded with 'Cherokee I have you in sight now'. I then requested; 'Skyhawk if you could extend your downwind; I'll turn my base here shortly'. I do not recall if there was a reply from the Skyhawk at that point. Landing was uneventful and I cleared the active as the Skyhawk pilot was on short final.My low pattern entry evasion had prevented a potential incident. The Skyhawk essentially overtook me on the downwind; appearing out of sequence (as I had announced my traffic position reports prior to his and was also at a lower altitude). The owner of the local flight school there in ZZZ approached me when I was leaving and mentioned 'I came in pretty low' on the pattern. I responded with; 'did you see the airplane right above me?' I don't recall his response after that; although he didn't return a friendly wave as I was leaving.The return flight was uneventful.
PA28 pilot reported two aircraft entered the downwind leg at similar locations at non-towered airport. First aircraft flew a lower traffic pattern altitude as a precaution which prevented a NMAC.