M-20 B/C Ranger
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Total 320; Flight Crew Type 245
Distraction; Situational Awareness
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
I was in a direct cruise from ZZZ toward ZZZ1 and was aware of traffic to my 3 o'clock ten miles in front of me on heading in the same general direction. I didn't think anything of it as he was 500 ft. below me and still a ways away. As I got closer I had my descent profile pulled up on my GPS to my destination. When the profile said to start my descent at 500 ft. per minute; I did not notice any traffic by visual cues and started down. I then checked and saw the same traffic as before on ADS-B what seemed to be right below me. I quickly banked over to the left away from the traffic and headed in a different heading to create separation. I would say the closest we came together was within a distance of in between 0.5 to 1 mile laterally and within 300 ft. vertically according to the ADS-B read out on the traffic page. I never had a visual until after the evasive action was taken. I was distracted at the time of the incident and did not see the traffic before I started my descent. It seemed like a close call; however I do not remember ever seeing a traffic alert that usually pops up on the GPS or Fore-Flight. It definitely seemed like it was close enough; however I was glad to have seen the traffic on the map so I could take evasive action. I am not sure if the other traffic ever saw me or not. He was at 5;000 ft. while I started my descent from 5;500 ft. I assume the traffic was on an IFR flight plan but I am not sure; he never deviated from his course. I was the faster aircraft and therefore he had the right of way; however I did not see him as he was below me under my right wing.
Mooney-20C pilot reported airborne conflict during descent with another aircraft visible on ADS-B.