Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 11; Flight Crew Type 111
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Airspace Violation All Types; Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Human Factors
The problem began when I was entering the cross-wind leg at Cable Airport. As I was in that leg; an aircraft reported that they were also in the same leg and that they were above us. I look up and see the aircraft above us and I immediately descend and begin a right 360 for spacing. I inform the aircraft that I will do that and follow in behind them and they acknowledged it. As I am in the down-wind leg; I put my plane into slow flight to allow for more spacing between me and the aircraft in front of me as they slowed down because of the aircraft in front of them. During this time; I notice that the aircraft ahead of me is extending their down-wind leg and that they were getting closer to Ontario Airspace. I see this and try my best to slow down to the slowest point to try and avoid the airspace but ended up having to extend as well and clipped Ontario's airspace. Before I hot the airspace; I looked to see if I could Turn to the North and see if I could make another approach but there was not enough room to safely make a turn without coming into conflict with another aircraft and as I was already going as slow as possible there didn't seem to be another option at the time other than try to touch the airspace as little as possible. Looking on it now; I could have just turned back to the North instead of doing a 360 to allow for even more spacing between me and the other aircraft.
Had to extend downwind leg of traffic pattern at CCB to allow for adequate spacing following another aircraft in the traffic pattern.
Solo private pilot and an instructor of another aircraft reported an NMAC and Class C airspace penetration while maneuvering in the CCB airport traffic pattern.