Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60; Flight Crew Total 200; Flight Crew Type 120
Communication Breakdown; Other / Unknown
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
As I was cruising at up the shoreline at 500 ft. above the water; a US Coast Guard helicopter coming from the east with a west heading began to descend. As he was at a higher altitude; the high wing of the C-172 I was on did not allow me to spot him till he was descending and crossing into my path from my right side. Since we were on a close collision course I made a right turn descent to avoid. The Coast Guard helicopter also turned to its right side and then continued its heading and descent to the east until it reached the beaches. I kept flying north.
Cessna 172 Single Pilot reported an NMAC event during cruise over shoreline.