Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 10; Flight Crew Total 500; Flight Crew Type 350
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown; Human-Machine Interface
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
Listened to ATIS 20 miles out and prevailing wind favored Runway 21. Was on a left downwind for 21 when listened to ATIS again and wind was now 020 at 9 KTS. Decided to cross over midfield and enter a downwind for 3. [I] made the call on the radio [and] made another call when over midfield. At that time; saw a Piper fly underneath from the Runway 21 direction. It passed about 200 FT below. Suspected it was performing a low; IFR practice approach. Wondered why I never heard the Piper on CTAF. Checked my Comm 1 radio and noted the volume was all the way down. [I] had forgotten to turn the volume back up after an earlier discussion with my passengers. [I] then entered a left downwind for 3 with no issues. [I] never heard anything from the Piper aircraft. Suspect he tuned back to ATC after his missed approach.
C172 pilot reports a NMAC with a Piper while over flying the HBI airport at 2;000 FT using CTAF procedures. The reporter discovers his radio volume has been turned down to talk with passengers and not returned to a listenable level.