Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 305; Flight Crew Type 175
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
My student and I were coming to OPF on a night-VFR cross-country in a C172. Our aircraft had operating lights and equipment. While around 10 NM northwest of OPF; we began monitoring frequency and made radio calls which stated our location and intention to maneuver for the left downwind for Runway 12. As we proceeded towards the airport; we continued to make numerous position reports on the CTAF frequency at regular intervals to include the pattern entry. The only other aircraft reporting were 2 helicopters to the east of the field. We proceeded eastbound and then joined the 45 degree downwind entry to Runway 12.After descending from pattern altitude on approximately final around 800 FT; we had an aircraft cross underneath our aircraft. I estimated that the aircraft was approximately 300 FT below us. This particular aircraft made no previous radio calls on the frequency. They then reported an approximate 1.5 mile final for Runway 12. After seeing the aircraft we stopped our descent and began climbing until safety was assured and we continued inbound towards Runway 12.In the meantime; I queried the aircraft to see if they were aware of our presence and I then repeated our intentions to land on Runway 12. Once they were clear of the runway we landed. Once both aircraft were on the ground the other aircraft advised they had been on an IFR flight plan and ATC advised them that we were westbound. We gave them our tail number and taxied back to the ramp. Once on the ground I advised our Flight School of the scenario that occurred.
An instructor pilot and her student returning from a night cross country and making position/intention reports were turning final in the pattern to land on Runway 12 at OPF when an IFR arriving aircraft passed approximately 300 FT beneath them inbound to the same runway. Both aircraft were C172s.