Narrative:

Takeoff was from runway 08 from hyi. Approximately three minutes after takeoff; about 5-7 miles northeast of hyi; while climbing through 2;500 ft MSL on a heading of approximately 055 degrees I had a near miss midair collision with a small airplane cruising level on westerly heading at 2;500 MSL. My aircraft was in a climb attitude through 2;500 ft MSL on a heading of about 055 degrees at 120 KTS IAS and I was in process of tuning in ATC to secure VFR flight following; when I looked up and the above airplane was filling approximately ¾ of my windshield. I immediately rolled my aircraft to the right approximately 135 degree bank; nearly inverted; and slid under the wing; fuselage; and tail of the small airplane. It is estimated we came within 50-100 ft of a mid-air collision. No inbound landing traffic was reported to me by the hyi tower controller. However; I was aware that a small airplane had checked in with hyi tower 7 miles east during my takeoff roll; so I was looking for him during my climb out to the northeast. My eyes were just temporarily back in the cockpit while I changed frequency. The pilot probably never saw me until the last split second and he pulled up and to the right. I know the left seat pilot had a very 'startled' look on his face. If the tower controller had the benefit of a tower radar display; this incident would have never happened. I have been told that such equipment is in surplus status and readily available at minimal installation expense for hyi tower. I strongly urge its acquisition. It is strange how the brain goes into 'slow motion' in the time of a crisis situation. My life didn't 'flash before me;' only the instinct of survival. It just wasn't my time - or it was the quick responsiveness of the aircraft's controls - take your pick!

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A pilot departed HYI and had a near miss at 2;500 FT during his climb out 5 to 7 miles east of the airport.

Narrative: Takeoff was from Runway 08 from HYI. Approximately three minutes after takeoff; about 5-7 miles northeast of HYI; while climbing through 2;500 FT MSL on a heading of approximately 055 degrees I had a near miss midair collision with a small airplane cruising level on westerly heading at 2;500 MSL. My aircraft was in a climb attitude through 2;500 FT MSL on a heading of about 055 degrees at 120 KTS IAS and I was in process of tuning in ATC to secure VFR flight following; when I looked up and the above airplane was filling approximately ¾ of my windshield. I immediately rolled my aircraft to the right approximately 135 degree bank; nearly inverted; and slid under the wing; fuselage; and tail of the small airplane. It is estimated we came within 50-100 FT of a mid-air collision. No inbound landing traffic was reported to me by the HYI Tower Controller. However; I was aware that a small airplane had checked in with HYI Tower 7 miles east during my takeoff roll; so I was looking for him during my climb out to the northeast. My eyes were just temporarily back in the cockpit while I changed frequency. The pilot probably never saw me until the last split second and he pulled up and to the right. I know the left seat pilot had a very 'startled' look on his face. If the Tower Controller had the benefit of a Tower radar display; this incident would have never happened. I have been told that such equipment is in surplus status and readily available at minimal installation expense for HYI Tower. I strongly urge its acquisition. It is strange how the brain goes into 'slow motion' in the time of a crisis situation. My life didn't 'flash before me;' only the instinct of survival. It just wasn't my time - or it was the quick responsiveness of the aircraft's controls - take your pick!

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.