EatSleepFly
Well-Known Member
Had a pretty close call this afternoon while giving an IPC to a fellow instructor. We were on an IFR flight plan getting vectors to a different airport after a missed approach. Level at 3,000, groundspeed of 190, so we were moving right along. I was head-down for a few seconds to pull out the plate for the next approach, and when I looked up, there was a 172RG at 10-11 o'clock, our altitude, in a hard right evasive turn away from us.
We missed by probably about 1000 feet laterally. I don't think we would have missed if he hadn't seen us, because by the time I saw them, it was too late. Also, I later talked to the other instructor (we're based at the same airport), and he agreed it was way close. He also didn't see us until after his student said something. Both of us being in the right seats made it difficult for us to spot each other.
Weather wasn't IFR, but it wasn't exactly a clear day either. Flight vis. was probably 6 miles, under a 10,000 ft. broken/overcast layer.
The controller never once pointed out the other aircraft. The only aircraft he pointed out were "1 or 2 VFR in the pattern, and one on the NDB approach inbound," all of which I had in sight. I not-so-kindly let the controller know what happened after I took a couple of deep breaths, and asked him if he had the other aircraft on radar. He didn't answer my question, but said "I told you there were numerous aircraft in the pattern." I pointed out that a.) we weren't in the pattern- we were 5nm northeast of the field, and b.) we were 1000 ft. above pattern altitude. That was the end of the converation, and the next vector we got was from a different controller, so he must have been taken off position after that. Then, after the next approach, the new controller said, "uh, are you guys supposed to be VFR or IFR?" I don't know what the hell was going on over there, but they were sure out of it (we were IFR).
It was one of those things where it happened too fast to be scared at the time. Later on, I was like, damn...that was close. Followed by a bunch of morbid thoughts like, "who would tell my parents, I'd hate for it to be my • boss", "who would tell my friend who is already driving down to visit this weekend," and "I wonder how long my truck would sit in the parking lot." Oh yeah, and "dammit, my mom would see the stack of playboys on my bookshelf."
Anyways, sorry for rambling on, but I thought it would be a good reminder for everyone to be careful out there, and keep your head on a swivel- its NOT a "big sky"!!!
We missed by probably about 1000 feet laterally. I don't think we would have missed if he hadn't seen us, because by the time I saw them, it was too late. Also, I later talked to the other instructor (we're based at the same airport), and he agreed it was way close. He also didn't see us until after his student said something. Both of us being in the right seats made it difficult for us to spot each other.
Weather wasn't IFR, but it wasn't exactly a clear day either. Flight vis. was probably 6 miles, under a 10,000 ft. broken/overcast layer.
The controller never once pointed out the other aircraft. The only aircraft he pointed out were "1 or 2 VFR in the pattern, and one on the NDB approach inbound," all of which I had in sight. I not-so-kindly let the controller know what happened after I took a couple of deep breaths, and asked him if he had the other aircraft on radar. He didn't answer my question, but said "I told you there were numerous aircraft in the pattern." I pointed out that a.) we weren't in the pattern- we were 5nm northeast of the field, and b.) we were 1000 ft. above pattern altitude. That was the end of the converation, and the next vector we got was from a different controller, so he must have been taken off position after that. Then, after the next approach, the new controller said, "uh, are you guys supposed to be VFR or IFR?" I don't know what the hell was going on over there, but they were sure out of it (we were IFR).
It was one of those things where it happened too fast to be scared at the time. Later on, I was like, damn...that was close. Followed by a bunch of morbid thoughts like, "who would tell my parents, I'd hate for it to be my • boss", "who would tell my friend who is already driving down to visit this weekend," and "I wonder how long my truck would sit in the parking lot." Oh yeah, and "dammit, my mom would see the stack of playboys on my bookshelf."

Anyways, sorry for rambling on, but I thought it would be a good reminder for everyone to be careful out there, and keep your head on a swivel- its NOT a "big sky"!!!