Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 10; Flight Crew Total 690; Flight Crew Type 650
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Weather
ATC gave me closed traffic with the option with instructions to follow the Citabria ahead; also in the pattern. I took off on Runway XY.I turned right crosswind at about 500 feet; heading 040; and continued my climb to 800 feet; the pattern altitude. There was a fair amount of haze and I did not see the Citabria. As I reached 800 feet and was ready to turn right downwind I saw the yellow Citabria on my left closing fast. I immediately began a sharp descending turn and the Citabria likewise took evasive action. The Citabria landed without incident as did I. I believe the Citabria was slightly higher although not by much.I ascribe the near miss to my failure to query ATC where the Citabria was. Also; it was difficult to see because of the haze. A contributing factor was the Citabria's extended upwind before it turned to right downwind. I will ask ATC to call my crosswind turns in the future anytime I have a doubt about where the preceding traffic is.
A C-172 pilot reported a near-mid-air-collision with a Citabria after losing sight of it during climb in hazy conditions.