Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 1200; Flight Crew Type 800
Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Procedure
I departed on a flight to OJC. [On] Kansas City Approach [I] started a VFR descent into OJC at about 150 KIAS. At approximately 4;000 FT MSL and 10 NM west of OJC [I was] on the 250 radial traveling direct to OJC heading 070. The airplane was on autopilot. I saw in my peripheral [vision] a yellow aircraft at my 10-11 o'clock going south; co-altitude on collision bearing. I had to take aggressive action unloading the aircraft and the yellow aircraft went directly over us at no more than 500 FT; and I would say it was more like 300 FT. I also fly F/A-18s in the military and have a lot of formation experience and know that it was closer than 500 FT. After the adrenaline wore off I called Approach and they said I was their only contact. Keep in mind this was JUST outside the Mode C veil from MCI (OJC250010); and since the other aircraft was traveling south I can only assume he was just inside the Mode C veil moments prior; so either he wasn't squawking Mode 3C or their radar was inoperative. I also asked OJC Tower if they had any contact on their radar and they said their only other contact was a Pilatus 10 NM southwest of IXD.Contributing factors: long flight; I was focused on the approach and landing; not having the best visual lookout. I'm not sure I would have seen the airplane had it not been painted bright yellow. Having had a couple very close passes flying F/A-18's; I truly believe my wife; daughter; two dogs and I would have collided with that aircraft if I had not kicked off autopilot and unloaded at the last second. Get better radar in the terminal area of Kansas City. This is not the first time I've had a close pass with another aircraft in almost the same spot. I find it totally unacceptable that 33 NM from MCI at 4;000 FT two aircraft almost collided and approach didn't see anything.
The pilot of a high performance single engine aircraft reported a NMAC with an experimental on approach to OJC. ATC reported they were not in contact with any other aircraft in the area.