Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Total 3400; Flight Crew Type 120
Distraction; Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Workload
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Airport; Airspace Structure; Environment - Non Weather Related
After checking NOTAMs online I departed. I climbed to 1;500 feet MSL and headed directly to (N51) Solberg Airport with the intention of flying over the Quick Check Balloon Festival. Approximately 5 miles from N51 I announced on the CTAF 122.8 my position and my intention to circle the field; on station at 1;500 feet MSL; left turns. I was advised by a helicopter pilot giving air tours of his position and acknowledged he was insight. After circling the over the field at 1;600 feet MSL two times I was contacted on CTAF and addressed by a male voice; as 'aircraft circling over Solberg are you on frequency?' My response was 'Affirmative; go ahead.' The response was 'You're in violation of the airspace; check NOTAMs before you fly; depart the airspace.' My reply was 'Roger that.' I decided to depart the airspace eastbound and call Flight Service to inquire of any new NOTAMs or TFRs that would preclude my over flight of the Solberg (N51) airport. Approximately 5 miles east (N51); I contacted New York Flight Service on 122.0 and inquired of any new NOTAMs or TFR's restricting over flight of (N51). New York Flight Service confirmed there were no NOTAMs or TFRs in effect restricting over flight of the Solberg Airport (N51). After receiving the update from Flight Service I turned westbound and proceeded back to (N51); announced my position and intention and resumed my over flight at 1;600 feet MSL; left turns. After my first left turn I was contacted on the CTAF by a female voice familiar. I advised her that I was not in violation of any FAR.s; NOTAMs or TFRs. Her response to me was 'Yes you are!' Her next immediate transmission was to an aircraft that was in the (N51) pattern. Her statement to the pilot of the pilot was 'Aircraft in the pattern; can you get the tail number of the orbiting plane?' The pilot's response was 'I'll do my best.' At the time of the transmission I was on the Northeast side of the field and spotted the aircraft at my 10 o'clock low position on a left downwind for the grass Runway 31. The pilot departed the downwind of Runway 31; climbed to my altitude of 1;600 feet MSL and rolled left into my 6 o'clock position and continued around reaching my 4 o'clock position at a distance of approximately 500 feet lateral distance. The pilot continued to move from my 4 o'clock position to my 3 o'clock position thereby cutting off my established flight pattern around the perimeter of the event. As I continued to steepen my left turn the approaching pilot continued to circle the outside of my left turn between my 5 o'clock and 3 o'clock position; closing its distance through five 360 degree turns. The pilot finally overtook on my right flying through my 11 o'clock position on a southeast heading and I rolled out on an eastbound heading. I estimate the aircraft was within 250 feet of my aircraft. There was no radio contact between the other aircraft and my aircraft. I departed the area.
A pilot orbiting CTAF N51 after checking NOTAMs and TFRs was told that he was violating the airspace; but did not leave until he was harassed by another aircraft that created a near miss situation.