Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 1.5; Flight Crew Total 770; Flight Crew Type 770
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
On arrival in the vicinity of AWO with intent to land; I checked local AWOS for wind conditions; which were reported to be light from the northeast (040 at 4 KTS) favoring a Runway 34 landing. Earlier in day the winds had been southerly favoring Runway 16 operations. At 5 miles northwest of airport I reported over CTAF my intent to land at AWO using Runway 34. A second position report was given on the 45 entry to downwind at a local reporting point for the left-hand traffic pattern to Runway 34. Entering downwind; I noticed a high-wing aircraft; Cessna; operating to the southwest of the airport maneuvering; but the traffic did not appear to be a factor for airport traffic pattern operations. At midfield; I again reported over CTAF being in the left-hand downwind at midfield for a full stop landing on Runway 34. Another aircraft was on the ground in the run-up area for a Runway 34 departure at this time. Abeam the numbers for Runway 34; well established on the downwind; power was reduced and the descent from the traffic pattern altitude of 1;000 FT AGL was initiated. At that time my scan turned back from the airport runway on the left to the right and that is when I saw the Cessna that had been southwest of the airport was on what appeared to be an inbound 45 entry heading toward the airport with the intent of flying the right-hand pattern for a Runway 16 tailwind landing. Surprised that the other pilot did not see I was clearly established in the pattern in the opposite direction and seemed oblivious to my presence; I pushed my aircraft into a dive to provide separation from the other aircraft. I continued a close pattern to a successful landing at AWO calling out position reports on base and again on final over the CTAF. At no time did I hear any radio response from the other aircraft though no radio is required at this field. On landing rollout while exiting Runway 34; the Cessna flew directly over the runway in the opposite direction at approximately 200-300 FT AGL without landing. During taxi I heard another aircraft on frequency asking for a radio check; and suspect the other aircraft may have discovered being off frequency.
Pilot reports a NMAC with a Cessna in the traffic pattern at AWO. The reporter was established in the left hand downwind for Runway 34 while the Cessna was entering the right hand pattern for Runway 16. Evasive action is taken by the reporter and the approach is continued to landing. While exiting the runway the Cessna is observed going around from a Runway 16 approach.