Skywagon 185
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 18; Flight Crew Total 970; Flight Crew Type 650
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
In the cruise mode of my IFR flight; I was vectored through the very busy Ashville airspace. I attempted to check in twice; but the Controller was extraordinarily busy. I was aware that at least one aircraft abandoned their approach due to another aircraft on the runway they'd been cleared to land on; and later heard this aircraft request a return for another approach; which I ended up nose to nose with. Thankfully the perfect VFR conditions allowed me to see this oncoming aircraft. I was surprised that my TCAS (Garmin 345) was not showing this aircraft; but it may have been the 2 mile range I had it set on; and I'm not used to seeing large jets that close up. Only a few moments later; I got an audible alert from the Garmin 345 of traffic 12 o'clock 1 mile. I don't recall what the vertical separation was. I initiated a climbing left turn as the oncoming aircraft appeared to be turning back to Ashville (to their left.) Before I could alert the controller that I was climbing and turning; they instructed me to climb to 9;000 ft. (I was cruising at 8;000 ft.). Shortly thereafter; they returned me to 8;000 ft.; and handed me off to Atlanta.I don't fault the Controller. They were overwhelmed by the traffic - and the go-around; I suspect. But I wanted to be on the record that I deviated from my clearance to avoid a potential collision.
C185 pilot reported a NMAC that resulted in evasive action and a clearance deviation.