Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 4.3; Flight Crew Total 312; Flight Crew Type 153.7
Confusion; Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Bird / Animal
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airport; Human Factors
I was originally given a clearance of right downwind for landing; and that ATC would call my base turn. About 1 to 2 miles past the runway threshold I received the radio call from the Tower; 'Number 2 cleared to land'. I mistook this call as meaning it was okay for me to turn base and continue towards the runway. I cut off a Cessna that was on about a 4 mile final. The Controller gave me a new clearance to turn left and join left downwind. I went to make the left turn but was unable because of a bird. Fearing a bird strike and busting the neighboring Class B airspace; I turned tight to the right; which was directly into the path; head-on; of a second Cessna. This left me disoriented and still worried about busting the Class B airspace. After the Controller gave me a heading to fly; I was able to land. I was told to call the Tower. During the phone call with the Controller; I was told that I cut off an aircraft on final and that I turned into traffic on left downwind. I apologized and explained about trying to avoid the bird but the Controller said that I should have made the left turn and not worried about hitting the bird as he was busy and had planes on final; right downwind; left downwind and four waiting to takeoff. This was an example of how a misunderstanding can lead to whole string of unforeseen events. From now on I will ask for clarification when I am not 100% sure of what ATC means.
The pilot of a Cessna 172 misunderstood the landing clearance that he received from the Tower Controller and turned in front of the aircraft he was to follow. The subsequent instructions that the Tower gave him to re-sequence for landing were not followed due to his concern over a bird in the vicinity and the nearby Class B airspace. Instead; he turned into the path of another aircraft before being given further instructions to provide separation.