Amateur/Home Built/Experimental
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 40; Flight Crew Total 1500; Flight Crew Type 750
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
I was approaching X26 (Sebastian) VFR from the west. Wind was 090 at 10; favoring Runway 10. Since jumpers were in the air; and their landing spot is directly north of Runway 10; I elected to make a straight-in approach vice a left downwind which would have put me directly over the path of the jumpers. I was attentive to the possibility of other aircraft in the pattern. I called at 15 nm; 10 nm; 5 nm; and 3 nm; each time announcing 'straight in to Runway 10 to avoid jumpers.' On 1.5 mile short final a Cherokee passed approximately 200 feet under me; making a left base for Runway 5. I evaded by pulling up and leveling off. Immediately after the near miss the Cherokee called; 'switching runways to left base; Runway 5.' I called on the CTAF and asked the Cherokee if he saw my aircraft that he had just passed under. He stated 'we saw you at the last second...we thought you were farther out.' After I landed on Runway 10; I saw the Cherokee do a touch and go on Runway 5 then depart the area. Based on the aircraft's severe wing rocking on short final; I assume this was a student pilot performing crosswind training. I never heard a call from the student pilot; and assume the person who answered me was a flight instructor. I had all lights on my aircraft turned on; which included landing light; strobes and position lights.
Pilot of a Velocity reported an NMAC with another light aircraft on approach to X26.