Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 70; Flight Crew Total 530; Flight Crew Type 11
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Distraction; Training / Qualification
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Staffing; Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related; Aircraft
I was operating in the traffic pattern with a student at the end of a local training flight. The Control Tower was closed and we were announcing our position on CTAF. There were 3 or 4 other aircraft operating in the pattern and we made an entry into the left downwind for XXL. While in the downwind; Aircraft Y called a 5 mile straight in final for XXL. As we began our base to follow Aircraft Y; approximately 2.5 miles out; Aircraft Z called a 6 mile final. We were descending from pattern altitude and made a call that we were on base and following Aircraft Y. We made a call as we were intercepting final; however; Aircraft Z continued and began to overtake us from 200 feet above as we were on an approximately 1 mile final and at 600 feet. I lost sight of Aircraft Z and began an evasive descending left turn which I announced on CTAF. At around the same time; Aircraft Z also made an evasive right 360. We reestablished in the downwind and announced that we would follow Aircraft Z. Once we established adequate separation from Aircraft Z; we began a left base and made an announcement on CTAF; at which point; Aircraft A in the left downwind announced and began base turn inside of us. We once again made an evasive maneuver and re-intercepted final after a 360 turn.There are a few reasons the problem arose. Firstly; with no Control Tower and multiple airplanes in a closed pattern; the two straight in approaches caused a significant disruption to the flow of traffic. This was further exaggerated by the difference in performance/final approach speed of our aircraft compared to Aircraft Z. Secondly; the temporary shortening of ZZZ's Tower hours poses a safety risk as the volume of traffic after XA:00 local time would still justify control tower operations. In addition; many of the aircraft that operate out of ZZZ are less familiar with uncontrolled pattern operations and fail to follow prescribed procedures/right of way rules or use good judgment when approaching a busy pattern with multiple aircraft already operating.
Pilot reported a NMAC with another aircraft while attempting to land at an airport where the tower was closed due to COVID-19 staffing.