Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 500; Flight Crew Type 100
Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Procedure; Weather
I was working with a student pilot in the traffic pattern at FFZ. We were conducting multiple touch and goes on runway 4L. On downwind; Falcon Tower announced to us 'number two 4L cleared touch and go 4L; follow the citabria on base'; we responded that we had the traffic in sight and continued the traffic pattern. The tower told the aircraft behind us to follow our aircraft and they were also cleared touch and go (or land) 4L. Once on final approach to runway 4L; I noticed the aircraft that was supposed to follow us was around 10-20 ft above us and our wingtips were 10-20 feet apart. I don't believe the low-wing aircraft was able to see us; and I was unable to maneuver the aircraft out of the possible collision course much because of low altitude and parallel runway in use. I announced to tower that there was an aircraft parallel to ours. Once I made the radio call; the pilot of the aircraft said 'go-around'. The tower acknowledged the other aircraft's go-around; and had told them that they were supposed to follow our aircraft. There was some haze so it could have been that the traffic behind us had never seen us due to the fact our aircraft is white; or that they were following the citabria instead of our aircraft. Tower never advised the other aircraft that they had turned too early.
DA40 instructor pilot reported a NMAC with another aircraft on final approach. The other aircraft had been instructed to follow the reporter; but apparently followed the aircraft ahead.