Cheetah; Tiger; Traveler AA5 Series
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 10; Flight Crew Total 6500; Flight Crew Type 1
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Conflict NMAC
General None Reported / Taken
Aircraft; Human Factors
I was pilot in command of [a] Grumman AA5A which was involved in a traffic conflict in the traffic pattern. I was 10NM southwest when I began experiencing alternator and engine problems and decided to return to [the airport]. I made a position report 8 NM southwest of the airport to Tower with the intention to land and was instructed to enter the right downwind for [the] runway; and that there were 2 aircraft in the pattern; including one Cessna in the upwind; which I acknowledged. As I got closer to the airport; tower advised me to go ahead and turn North to enter a wide right downwind for [the] runway even though I was still a few miles away from the airport. At this point I understood the Cessna to be somewhere in the crosswind to downwind but still did not have them in sight.  Shortly thereafter Tower asked the Cessna if they had the Grumman (myself) in sight at their 11 o'clock. They responded by saying 'tallyho' which was understood by tower and myself that they did have me in sight. Afterwards Tower instructed the Cessna to 'maintain visual separation' from us; to which the Cessna acknowledged.   Tower then said; 'Grumman; do you have the Cessna in sight?' I acknowledged that I had the Cessna in sight; which was at my 5 o'clock low. There was no communication from the Cessna until tower said; 'Cessna do you still have the Grumman in sight?' The Cessna responded by saying; 'Holy cow he just went right off my nose! I'll have a word with him when we land.' Due to continuing engine and alternator problems I ultimately decided to request an expedited landing; after which Tower cleared me to land; which I acknowledged.  After landing and clearing the runway; I contacted ground control (who was a different controller than the tower controller); who advised me that I had committed a pilot deviation by 'overflying the Cessna'; and instructed me to call Tower via phone after the flight. I called Tower to once again talk to the ground controller who reinforced the fact that I had committed a pilot deviation. I did not have a chance to speak with the controller who was involved in the incident.  It was my understanding that since the Cessna had me in sight and acknowledged maintaining visual separation from us that it was their responsibility to do so. This was exacerbated by the fact that the Cessna was behind me; which permitted them to have a better visual of us; as well as the fact that they claimed to have me in sight well before I had them in sight. As a result; I do not believe that I am at fault in this incident.
General Aviation pilot reported an NMAC with another light aircraft in the pattern.