C172 pilot arriving gai reports near midair collision with another C172 departing runway 32R. The pi...

Attributes
ACN	832510
Time
Date	200904
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	GAI.Airport
State Reference	MD
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Route In Use	Other Traffic Pattern
Flight Plan	VFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Takeoff
Route In Use	Other Traffic Pattern
Flight Plan	VFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Commercial
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 2 Flight Crew Total 910 Flight Crew Type 350
Events
Anomaly	Conflict NMAC Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Deviation - Procedural Other / Unknown
Miss Distance	Horizontal 300 Vertical 100

Narrative:

While approaching and having announced '3 mile 45 to right downwind gai;' I heard the other aircraft; familiar to me; announce; 'taking off; runway 32; montgomery county.' piloting the plane on the runway; I returned my attention to setting up downwind entry. Just upon entering downwind; I spotted aircraft Y climbing from below and to my right ahead. Slowing and watching aircraft Y; I saw it pass us above and continue outbound; apparently on a departure course to nearby EMI VOR; from a crosswind off a very short upwind leg. As I observed aircraft Y; continuing and announcing myself on downwind I noted that aircraft Y turned to a course parallel to mine; ahead of me and at a higher speed. Announced; 'airplane on downwind; do you see me? To which I answered; 'affirmative; you are ahead; off my left wing.' then; just as I was abeam the numbers of runway 32; aircraft Y announced; 'airplane on downwind expedite your turn to final;' and begin to and announced; 'we are turning base.' realizing the further conflict could arise as aircraft Y cut across my path; I announced; 'aircraft X is breaking off; I will follow you in.' aircraft Y subsequently continued the landing as a 'touch-and-go.' I continued on a slightly wider than normal and extended downwind for safe separation to my planned; normal full stop landing.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: C172 pilot arriving GAI reports NMAC with another C172 departing Runway 32R. The pilots were in radio communication with each other but the departing aircraft turned an early crosswind causing the conflict.

Narrative: While approaching and having announced '3 mile 45 to right downwind GAI;' I heard the other aircraft; familiar to me; announce; 'Taking off; Runway 32; Montgomery County.' Piloting the plane on the runway; I returned my attention to setting up downwind entry. Just upon entering downwind; I spotted Aircraft Y climbing from below and to my right ahead. Slowing and watching Aircraft Y; I saw it pass us above and continue outbound; apparently on a departure course to nearby EMI VOR; from a crosswind off a very short upwind leg. As I observed Aircraft Y; continuing and announcing myself on downwind I noted that Aircraft Y turned to a course parallel to mine; ahead of me and at a higher speed. Announced; 'Airplane on downwind; do you see me? To which I answered; 'Affirmative; you are ahead; off my left wing.' Then; just as I was abeam the numbers of Runway 32; Aircraft Y announced; 'Airplane on downwind expedite your turn to final;' and begin to and announced; 'We are turning base.' Realizing the further conflict could arise as Aircraft Y cut across my path; I announced; 'Aircraft X is breaking off; I will follow you in.' Aircraft Y subsequently continued the landing as a 'touch-and-go.' I continued on a slightly wider than normal and extended downwind for safe separation to my planned; normal full stop landing.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

C172 pilot arriving gai reports near midair collision with another C172 departing runway 32R. The pilots were in radio communication with each other but the departing aircraft turned an early crosswind causing the conflict.