This is an excerpt from a report made to the Aviation Safety Reporting System. The narrative is written by the pilot, rather than FAA or NTSB officials. To maintain anonymity, many details, such as aircraft model or airport, are often scrubbed from the reports.
I was flying to Marana Regional Airport (KAVQ) in Arizona to leave my plane for its annual inspection.
There were several planes in the pattern at KAVQ and around the airport — it was busy. I entered a downwind on the 45. Two planes were ahead of me. I was following Aircraft Z. Aircraft A was behind me and another plane behind him, all entering the pattern on the downwind.
Aircraft Z turned final and announced #2 for landing. I was watching him and announced #3 for landing. Aircraft A announced #4. I had to extend downwind for spacing, as did Aircraft A. The plane behind him had to break off because continued downwind extensions would take him into Pinal Airpark (KMZJ) airspace.
As I turned final, a plane practicing a straight-in IFR approach announced that I had cut in under her and she was going around.
Review of Internet data showed that she was about 500 feet above me.
I had been focused on maintaining visual contact with Aircraft Z ahead of me so as to land as close behind him as I safely could, making room for planes behind me.
He exited the runway shortly before I touched down. My landing was uneventful, and the IFR plane entered the pattern from the upwind for a touch-and-go before returning to ZZZ1.
I heard the IFR plane announce an approach, but had lost awareness of where she was.
I’ve heard that combining straight in and pattern work at uncontrolled airports is dangerous, but now have first-hand experience to verify.
Primary Problem: Human Factors
ACN: 2140713
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