Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200; Flight Crew Total 1000; Flight Crew Type 650
Training / Qualification; Confusion; Communication Breakdown
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Human Factors
While operating in the traffic pattern we were given a landing clearance while on downwind abeam the numbers on Runway 2. We were told that we were Number 3 for landing behind two Cessna 172s on final. At this point we turned base and checked the final to ID our traffic ahead. We then cleared the extended final to our right and saw no conflicting traffic either way. We turned final and heard Tower communicating with a C172 but we didn't hear the conversation because of instructional activity. After we turned final and began our final approach; Tower asked us if we were on a one mile final behind another Cessna. We saw a Cessna ahead in the flare over the runway so we confirmed. The Tower Controller told us to go-around and to sidestep left of the runway. I added full power and sidestepped the runway to the left. As we climbed we suddenly saw a C172 climbing out of the right side window very rapidly. We were approximately 10-15 FT laterally from the other aircraft. I continued the turn to clear the aircraft and then flew another normal traffic pattern to land. The student was on an initial solo. I spoke with the instructor and he advised me that the student had 60 hours of flight time and this was his first solo. He clearly had English comprehension issues. The Ground Controller advised us that he was having trouble understanding the instructions. It appeared as if the other Cessna was on an extended straight in approach and that he was cleared as the number 4 aircraft behind us on base. He must have thought that he was supposed to follow the aircraft already on final and he did not look at the based to see if there was conflicting traffic. Spoke with the student and instructor on the ground to talk about collision avoidance and traffic pattern operations.
A C172 encountered a very near miss with another C172 on final approach at the airport.