Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 33; Flight Crew Total 95; Flight Crew Type 95
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Procedure
Prior to the near-miss event; we made several CTAF calls with our intentions of entering the straight-in left downwind for Runway 32 from the north. An aircraft on the runway then announced their intentions to depart 32 to the north towards the Needles VOR. At this point; it is assumed he was going to make a straight-out departure to the north and climb since he did not specify. Instead; this aircraft initiated a left crosswind departure towards the west while we were entering the left downwind at approximately 1;700 MSL; while the aircraft was at around 1;400-1;500 MSL and crossed under us. My guess is that the other aircraft 'saw and avoided' and stopped his climb at approximately 1;500 MSL while we were at approximately 1;700 MSL. While the aircraft was on the left crosswind climb; I identified traffic and applied throttle; and climbed only approximately 100 feet or so to evade since I spotted the traffic sooner. No calls were exchanged after the near-miss event. In retrospect; I should asked the departing traffic for clarification on his departing direction and entered the pattern at a much higher altitude.
Pilot reported taking evasive action to avoid a Near Mid Air Collision with a departing aircraft.