Narrative:

I departed and contacted approach on 125.175 to enter class C airspace. I reported location and intention and that I had ATIS. I was flying at 2;500 feet on a VFR flight plan direct to myr. The controller responded and assigned a squawk code. I entered the code in the transponder and continued on course to myr. The controller began talking to the pilots of other aircraft. Several minutes later I noticed what appeared to be a military transport departing a nearby airport. Shortly after departure; I heard the military pilot on the same frequency; 125.175. His aircraft turned directly toward me and continued to climb. At the time; I was about 5 NM from his departure airport. When the transport was about one-half mile away; I heard the pilot report that he was approaching a small airplane; which was my aircraft. I reported that I had the aircraft in site; but the controller at about the same time reported that he had no other aircraft on his radar in the area; so I do not think my transmission was heard. The aircraft passed about 400 feet directly below me. I never felt like I was in danger because I could have taken evasive action with a turn to the right. I did not turn because I initially thought that the controller had both aircraft on radar and had judged that we were legally separated. I later confirmed that the controller had never picked me up on radar. He asked me to recycle my transponder; and then apparently he could see me on radar. When I entered myr class C airspace later that day; the myrtle beach controller also asked me to recycle the transponder. I flew again the next day and no problem with the transponder was noted by any controllers. The transponder is scheduled to be checked out but has not yet been examined.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A small aircraft pilot reported a near miss with a military transport near FAY as he attempted to establish flight following with an intermittent transponder.

Narrative: I departed and contacted Approach on 125.175 to enter Class C airspace. I reported location and intention and that I had ATIS. I was flying at 2;500 feet on a VFR flight plan direct to MYR. The Controller responded and assigned a squawk code. I entered the code in the transponder and continued on course to MYR. The Controller began talking to the pilots of other aircraft. Several minutes later I noticed what appeared to be a military transport departing a nearby airport. Shortly after departure; I heard the military pilot on the same frequency; 125.175. His aircraft turned directly toward me and continued to climb. At the time; I was about 5 NM from his departure airport. When the transport was about one-half mile away; I heard the pilot report that he was approaching a small airplane; which was my aircraft. I reported that I had the aircraft in site; but the Controller at about the same time reported that he had no other aircraft on his radar in the area; so I do not think my transmission was heard. The aircraft passed about 400 feet directly below me. I never felt like I was in danger because I could have taken evasive action with a turn to the right. I did not turn because I initially thought that the Controller had both aircraft on radar and had judged that we were legally separated. I later confirmed that the Controller had never picked me up on radar. He asked me to recycle my transponder; and then apparently he could see me on radar. When I entered MYR Class C airspace later that day; the Myrtle Beach Controller also asked me to recycle the transponder. I flew again the next day and no problem with the transponder was noted by any controllers. The transponder is scheduled to be checked out but has not yet been examined.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.