PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 530; Flight Crew Type 400
Communication Breakdown; Distraction
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
Weather was very good; a few scattered clouds at 6;000 feet with no real ceiling; visibility was over 6 miles. I was north of the field and called my position at 10 miles. I heard some aircraft that were landing and taking off and was looking for them. About 2 miles north I think I recall one of the aircraft declaring crosswind for [Runway] XX and was still looking for him. I got a little distracted with setting up for the downwind and my visual search was a little interrupted. I still could not make visual contact and thought maybe the other aircraft was close to base or had left the pattern. I called entering downwind [Runway] XX and the other aircraft responded that they were on downwind as well. At that point I responded that I would leave the pattern and circle and re-enter. It turns out the other aircraft was just below me and I couldn't see them. A later conversation with the pilot after we landed was that he saw me just above him probably less than 100 feet and pitched his plane down just as I turned out. I normally won't enter the pattern or will leave the pattern if I don't have visual contact with other known aircraft; but maybe cause of other distraction I did not this time.
PA-28 pilot reported taking evasive action to avoid a mid air collision with an undetected aircraft during approach to a non-towered airport.