Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 2823; Flight Crew Type 2139
Distraction; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
While flying southwest just east of the HPW VOR at approximate 900 FT; the non-flying pilot noticed something red and immediately looked up to see a small tailwheel aircraft heading directly toward us. He immediately began a descent away from the other aircraft. The oncoming aircraft appeared to be at or below 1;000 FT. We estimate that we passed within 100 FT of the other aircraft. I; the flying pilot; had been looking at something out the left window at the time. The aircrew person did not see the oncoming traffic. Approach had just terminated flight following with us and we had not yet contacted the next Approach. The traffic had not been called to us by Approach prior to discontinuing service. The oncoming aircraft took no evasive action. It would appear that he never saw us. This incident was discussed at length amongst all on board the aircraft in an effort to learn from the incident. None of us saw the aircraft coming. All on board the aircraft were engaged with the flight and discussing observations in the area at the time.
A pilot reported taking evasive action during a near miss with a single engine aircraft at 900 FT near HPW VOR.