Cessna 210 Centurion / Turbo Centurion 210C; 210D
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 15.3; Flight Crew Total 475; Flight Crew Type 465
Distraction
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Human Factors
I was flying VFR in CAVU conditions and had just leveled off at 4;500 FT on a heading of about 335 approximately 8 miles from 5C1. I was briefly going through the level off procedure of setting the throttle and prop and looked up and saw a light twin heading directly toward me. I immediately made a hard bank turn to the right and lost sight of the other aircraft. It is difficult to estimate how close we came because I lost sight but I believe if I hadn't taken evasive action I may have collided with the other aircraft.
C210 pilot experiences a NMAC at 4;500 FT shortly after level off while setting prop and throttle. A hard right turn is made to avoid collision.