Cessna 150
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 9; Flight Crew Total 860; Flight Crew Type 520
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Airport; Human Factors
I had filed IFR flight plan [but] in the air; I advised NORCAL that I was cancelling IFR and requested VFR flight following to South County Airport (E16). Approximately 20 miles east of the airport; while I was at 6;500 feet altitude; NORCAL advised me that flight following was terminated and squawk 1200. I descended to 1300 feet (approximate TPA for E16) over the private golf course; which is a well-established landmark three miles north of the airport; known to most pilots at South County Airport; as a landmark used to announce 45 degree entry for right downwind for E16 Runway 32. At this point; I heard another pilot announce that he was 'downwind' runway 32 in a Cessna airplane.Realizing that another airplane was maneuvering in the pattern; I proceeded to clearly announce my position; numerous times; over the course of the next five minutes...At no time did I hear the pilot of the other airplane make any announcement; other than the initial report of downwind when I was still over the golf course. I did not observe the airplane on the ground. Since it had been so long since I heard from the other airplane; I assumed he had either landed or left the vicinity. I assumed that if I was announcing my position; and if the other pilot made no attempt to announce his position; then the other airplane must not be a factor.At this time; a third airplane; announced that he was north of the airport and entering a right 45 for runway 32. Less than .25 mile from the approach end of the runway; on my short final; 30 degrees flaps; I saw the wings of another high wing airplane appear beneath me. He was maybe 30 feet below me and traveling slightly faster than me; so he was maybe 30 feet in front of me when I saw him. He must have been directly underneath me before he finally overtook me and I was able to see him.I became extremely agitated and shouted over the radio 'There's another airplane; near collision; going around!' I applied full power; climbed; and veered right slightly so that I could see the other airplane in my sight. The third airplane; said over the radio 'what happened?' I was still agitated and said 'some idiot just pulled out in front of me.' The pilot of the airplane that nearly hit me remained silent. I engaged in a heated discussion with the other airplane in the pattern and warned him about a reckless pilot who was now taxiing on the ground. At this point -- finally -- the pilot of [the offending Cessna] spoke up and said he was unaware of any near collision; and that he had 'announced' his position clearly. The other pilot [in the pattern] said 'I never heard you say anything; pal.' On the ground the pilot of [the offending Cessna]; who was still on the taxiway; contacted me by radio; and asked to come over to speak with me. I said OK. As I was tying down my airplane; he came over; shook my hand; but insisted that he had communicated clearly; and that he never saw me. He also at one point told me he was 'doing touch and go's' and 'was the only plane in the pattern.' He then got back in his plane; and departed runway 32 heading north.
I was involved in an almost mid air collision while on final approach at South County Airport (E16) in San Martin; CA. I was practicing landings; flew the second traffic pattern. While flying on the downwind leg for runway 32 I realized another airplane [was] entering the pattern on the right 45. A third aircraft was also in the pattern; following me and the other plane involved. I announced each traffic pattern leg on the radio; also hearing the other 2 planes. While I was on final approach I heard the plane behind me announcing that he is turning base. My thoughts were that this plane is following me pretty close. All the sudden I heard another pilot cursing on the radio; warning the 3rd guy that he almost had a mid air collision. I finished my landing without noticing anything of an incident. After taxiing off the runway I heard the involved pilot and the pilot of the third plane talking to each other on the radio. Just at that time I realized that they were actually talking about me and that it has been my plane that was involved in this incident. I taxied to the parking area and the other pilot parked his plane too. We talked to each other and he told me that he all the sudden saw me about 50 feet below him. Since I was the lower plane and was on final approach I had the right of way. Obviously the other pilot was flying the base leg closer to the runway than me. I had no chance seeing him; as I am in a high wing airplane and he was approaching from the blind spot over my wings to the right. On the other hand I cannot understand how he could not see me while he was on the base leg. He was flying a high wing aircraft too; a Cessna 150 or 152. He must have looked only to the right; direction runway; so he did not see me on final approach from the left. The pilot told me that he did not hear me on the radio; but I announced each and every leg. Before and after this incident I had no problem communicating with ATC. So I assume my radio working fine; as I could also hear the other pilots in the pattern talking. Maybe his volume was set too low. Anyway; even without radio I was flying all the time right in front of him; so I really cannot understand how this incident happened.
Reports from both pilots of an NMAC event at non-towered E16 provide classic narratives of the same event seen from different points of view...and cockpits.