Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 34; Flight Crew Total 146; Flight Crew Type 42
Distraction
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Procedure; Human Factors
I had just returned from the practice area; and did a touch and go on Runway 7 at MRI. Upon the go; I was told to continue 'right traffic for Runway 7; follow the red and white Cessna' (This is a third aircraft; another C172). The Cessna I was following was flying a fairly wide right downwind pattern and outside what is depicted in the AK Supplement. I had considered flying the standard pattern as depicted in the supplement; but determined that since we were pretty close; if I flew a tighter pattern; we may have a problem when he turned base; so I followed the same wide pattern directly behind him at a comfortable distance. Still at 900 FT MSL (800 AGL) and abeam the numbers; I reduced my power and as I reached for the first notch of flaps I heard someone on the radio say something like 'Merrill Tower... someone is at my 12 O'clock at my altitude...' This statement got my attention and I immediately saw a Cessna 206 a couple hundred FT below me and passing slightly to my left; he was flying generally east and I west). I went to full power and began to climb. I am not sure if the 206 pilot maneuvered in any way. I am not sure where he came from and was never told by ATC to expect apposing traffic as we normally get from MRI Tower. I had been too focused on keeping track of the aircraft I was following and my scan for other aircraft was not sufficient. Thankfully the 206 pilot saw me and said so on the radio. I believe that; due to the overlapping traffic patterns at MRI; a review of simultaneous runway use and procedures would not be unwarranted. I am in no way saying changes must be made; but maybe at least increased vigilance by ATC and traffic alerts. I will certainly be even more vigilant while in the traffic pattern.
C172 pilot experiences an NMAC approaching base at MRI with a C206; opposite direction in the pattern or departing ANC.