Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 400; Flight Crew Type 350
Situational Awareness; Fatigue; Time Pressure
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors; Weather; Airport
After missing a hold short point for Runway 7/12 [HS2]; I asked the Controller for departure to the northwest. Once off of the ground I proceeded on course to the northwest. A pilot on downwind and I saw each other approximately 200 FT horizontally from each other and about 150 vertically. I dove down to 600 FT and the other pilot climbed. Why did this happen? To begin with...Get-there-itis. I had told my wife I would be home for dinner and I was trying to make it. That in combination with a tired and hot pilot began a chain of events.1. I had spent all day walking and shopping with friends on a hot day. Although I wasn't dehydrated; I was tired. NO ALCOHOL was consumed during this trip! Only sweet ice tea.2. I checked the winds before leaving and added 24 gallons of fuel to the aircraft for a total for 45 gallons. I did not top off the tanks to 53 gallons due to weight limitations with my passengers.3. Winds during the return flight were headwinds with most winds out of the north between 280 and 350 degrees. Due to airspace restrictions with MIA airspace; controllers diverted me to lower altitudes. The hot Florida day made for a very bumpy ride at 1;500 MSL.4. After two (2) hours of a bumpy headwind flight; passengers had to use the bathroom; so I diverted to SUA for both fuel and a bathroom break.5. I was new to the airport and asked for a progressive taxi; which I received. The rest is history. I have talked this over with my spouse. There will NEVER be another version of get-there-itis as long as I'm a pilot. She told me to next time either make a call home or spend the night.
C172 pilot reports an unplanned fuel stop and bathroom break at SUA. On departure a hold line is inadvertently crossed (HS2) and the left crosswind turn on course is made without regard to downwind traffic in the pattern; resulting in a NMAC. Fatigue and get-home-itis were cited as factors.