Date: 202102
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: 10
Light: Dusk
Aircraft: M-20 Series Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: VFR
Mission: Personal
Flight phase: Initial Approach
Airspace: Class E ZZZ1
ATC / advisory: CTAF ZZZ
Second aircraft: Cessna 150
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Single Pilot
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Human factors: Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Anomaly: Conflict NMAC
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Contributing factors: Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
Primary problem: Ambiguous

Narrative: I was 10 miles north of ZZZ and flying heading 220 at 1;500 ft. MSL and 105 knots in a Mooney inbound for a VFR traffic pattern entry on a right downwind to Runway XX. Three airplanes had just landed and I was maneuvering for the 45 degree entry to Runway XX. I heard the Cessna announce it was 4 miles ahead and also maneuvering for the same entry to Runway XX. The sun was setting to the west which made it difficult to spot aircraft to the southwest and west of my flight path. I announced on CTAF that I was 10 miles north and maneuvering for the 45 degree entry right downwind Runway XX. At 5 miles northwest of ZZZ; I announced that I was 5 miles northwest maneuvering for the 45 degree entry; right downwind; for Runway XX.At that point; I heard the Cessna was on the 45 entry to right downwind Runway XX. I turned to a heading of 180 at 1;300 ft. MSL; 113 knots; and remained 5 miles west of ZZZ; while visually scanning ahead; left and right; for the Cessna. It was very difficult to see southwest and west due to the sun setting. At 5 miles west of ZZZ; I announced Mooney is 5 miles west of ZZZ maneuvering for the 45 entry; right downwind; Runway XX".Within a minute; I spotted the Cessna approximately 100 ft. below and 400 ft. to the right. The CFI onboard called on the radio; and said "did you see us?" I responded; "Yes I just did. Would you like to go ahead of me or do you want me to proceed on the 45 entry?" He responded that they would continue the entry and go ahead of me. I continued to fly a heading of 180 and then executed a turn to the west followed by a 360 degree turn to the east to enter the pattern after the Cessna. I landed and did not see the Cessna on the ramp.Afterwards; I called the CFI in the Cessna; whom I've known for years. I listened to his remarks and explained that I had no intention of overtaking him in The Cessna. This is not something I would ever attempt nor have I ever done in 18 years of flying. He mentioned they had requested my position in the air (around 5 miles out) and I said that I never heard that request nor that they were in the Cessna. I was only monitoring CTAF and visually scanning for traffic. I heard they were already on the 45 degree entry to Runway XX. I believe that 1 or 2 of their position reports or requests for my position were not transmitted or heard because we may have both pressed the mic button at the same time to give or request position reports. One of the Cessna's communications may have been incomplete which could explain why I heard that the Cessna was on the 45 degree entry to Runway XX; as I was 5 miles west northwest of ZZZ."




Synopsis: A single pilot reported a Near Mid-Air Collision (NMAC) with another aircraft entering the landing pattern. Sun position reportedly inhibited early visual contact.