Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 13; Flight Crew Total 5165; Flight Crew Type 3900
Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
Enroute on IFR flight plan; I was VFR over a cloud deck at 11;000 ft direct to [destination airport]. Center wanted to reroute me to the [an enroute] VOR then direct [to destination airport]. I was running a little late; and so to save time I chose to cancel IFR and continue VFR as I knew it was clear conditions at [destination airport]. After canceling IFR; I stayed with Center for traffic advisories. Getting closer to [destination airport] they handed me off to approach as I started my descent. Approach called traffic at my 11 o'clock and 2 miles. I told them I had the traffic in sight at which time they told me I could switch over to the tower. Keeping an eye on the traffic while continuing my descent; it looked like I would pass behind the traffic. As it turned out I passed just in front and above the traffic. At the time it never crossed my mind that I needed more separation than we were going to have. It was totally my fault for not keeping the proper separation between us. I really don't have an excuse; other than to say I will never let it happen again.
The pilot of a C182 reported operating within close proximity to another aircraft while on VFR approach.