DA20-C1 Eclipse
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 761; Flight Crew Type 74
Communication Breakdown
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Procedure; Human Factors
I was with a first time student and performed a touch-and-go. A Cardinal called several miles out descending through I believe 3;500 feet with no bearing from the airport. I asked him and he responded to the SE and that the sun was in his face but he'd be looking. I reported entering the right crosswind then called entering the right downwind. The Cardinal stated that he was at 2;500 feet on the right downwind. I again stated that I was on the right downwind and did not see the Cardinal and that I was about to enter the base leg. I had my student turn base and stated that I was on the base leg. As I looked toward the runway to decide when to tell my student to begin his final turn; I saw the Cardinal; at my 2 o'clock position; co-altitude (approximately 1;600 feet MSL) and approximately 400 feet laterally heading right toward my aircraft. My evasive action included adding full power and initiated a climb straight ahead. I do not remember what I said on the radio; but he told me that he saw me and turned to his left to go behind me. I told him that I did not expect him to be coming from directly overhead the runway. I was expecting him to be on a downwind leg. Once he was clear; I reduced the power; and brought the aircraft onto final approach and then let my student land the plane. My thoughts on how the near midair happened were the Cardinal flying into the sun approaching the airport and not entering and flying a proper traffic pattern and pattern altitude.
Diamond DA 20 pilot reported having a NMAC with another aircraft while in the traffic pattern at a non-towered airport.