Date: 201707
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: Mixed
Weather elements / visibility: Cloudy
Aircraft: PA-32 Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga/6X
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Personal
Flight phase: Initial Approach
Airspace: Class E ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Center ZZZ
Second aircraft: Twin Otter DHC-6
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Single Pilot
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Anomaly: Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Automation Aircraft TA; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Contributing factors: Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Weather
Primary problem: Weather

Narrative: While operating on an IFR flight plan; I noticed that my route would take me across the top of the ZZZ Airport. I am familiar with the Skydiving operation there; so as I was approaching approximately 15 miles from the northwest; I tuned in the ZZZ CTAF frequency on my #2 COM radio to listen in for the jump aircraft. I never heard the aircraft take off and never observed anything on my traffic display as I was approaching. At about 10 miles northwest of ZZZ; [Center] cleared me; at pilot's discretion; to start my initial descent from 9;000 ft MSL down to 4;000 ft MSL. A build up of clouds was occurring in the immediate vicinity; and at about 7;000 ft MSL; I started going in and out of the tops of the clouds. Shortly thereafter I noticed an aircraft appear on my ADS-B traffic display at 2;500 ft below me and climbing. I surmised that it was the jump aircraft; but still had not heard anything on the CTAF frequency or the ARTCC frequency. At approximately 5 miles northwest of ZZZ; I heard the pilot of the jump aircraft check on to the ARTCC frequency. The pilot was alerted by the controller that I was descending behind and above the jump aircraft. The pilot called 'No joy' on me. I was also advised of the aircraft; and responded that I was inside of a cloud with no visual contact. At some point; according to my traffic display; the jump aircraft made a left turn back into my flight path while I was still inside of the cloud; and I received a traffic alert on my GTN650. Upon exiting the cloud; I made an immediate right bank; followed by a left bank to try and acquire the jump aircraft. When I identified the aircraft; it was still climbing on a heading that could have potentially taken it into my original flight path. I would estimate we were within 500 ft of each other; maybe more like 300 ft. I was close enough that I could see the skydiver's faces that were standing in the jump door. After ensuring I was clear of the aircraft; I notified [Center] that I was clear of the aircraft and that it posed no further issue. The controller responded. The pilot of the jump aircraft also responded that I had been identified visually. The remaining 10 minutes of the flight were uneventful; however; I was left very shaken up. After landing and reflecting on the event; I wondered what I could've done differently. Overall; I could've requested a route around ZZZ. Once committed though; and without visual ID of the aircraft due to clouds; I don't know what else I could've done at that time.




Synopsis: A PA32R pilot reported a NMAC with a skydiving aircraft while on an IFR flight plan.