Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 29; Flight Crew Total 315; Flight Crew Type 311
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors; Procedure
My wife and I were taking a pleasure flight over the Americus area to survey damage from the recent hurricane. The weather was clear with no clouds and light winds. We announced take-off and departure for sightseeing over town. There was no other traffic in the area at this time. Town is inline with the approach path for a straight in to Runway 5 at KACJ. While heading 070 over town at 1;600 FT we heard an announcement from another aircraft stating final approach for Runway 5. Scanning the area I saw no traffic in front or beside us; however; I looked back over my shoulder and saw a twin engine rapidly approaching and descending into us from our 5 o'clock. I immediately executed a steep turn to the left. The twin passed on our right hand side at our altitude approximately 150 FT away and continued to land at KACJ. After I was sure we had cleared the area I made position announcement. We entered a standard traffic pattern for Runway 5 and landed shortly after. We talked with the pilot about the incident and he said multiple times that he did not see us. He stated Approach had held him longer than normal and had told him there was no traffic in between him and the airport. He said that since ATC had said there was no traffic in the way; he wasn't looking for traffic. I pointed out that ATC says 'No Observed Traffic' and that in Class E airspace you can find aircraft without transponders. Planes; like ours; without an electrical system are not required to have a transponder. Overall his demeanor was that of someone unwilling to learn from an event. In this case; a lack of scanning by the approaching aircraft would have led to a mid-air collision if the timing of the radio announcements and our ability to see behind us hadn't all lined up. All pilots need to remember that 'see and avoid' is in affect anytime you are in VMC conditions regardless of whether or not you are on an IFR flight plan.
Small aircraft pilot reported a NMAC while preparing to land.