Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 218; Flight Crew Total 1197; Flight Crew Type 320
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Airspace Violation All Types; Conflict NMAC; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Human Factors
During the traffic pattern today I was in a small aircraft with an MEI [Multi Engine Instructor] candidate. There was a flight of 2 other small aircraft that had left about 30 to 45 minutes prior to them returning. When they returned Tower told them to 'Maintain 1;500 feet until advised' they did not maintain 1;500 we were told to keep it tight behind a Cirrus on the final.  We made our base turn to Runway 14 as we made the turn descending out of 800 feet I saw the planes out of my left window and immediately descended the aircraft and was forced to fly through the final approach. The other two aircraft said we were right in front of them to Tower; Tower scolded them a little about not being at the proper altitude.  We were forced to make a go-around and Tower told us to remain at or below 500 feet until advised.  As the other aircraft landed the first one did not contact Ground for taxi; Tower had to tell him to stop and go over to Ground.  One aircraft apologized to Tower and said 'We planned something different but should have followed your instructions.'  I believe the two airplanes did not have proper knowledge of how formation flight works and rules and could have caused a mid air collision with themselves and other people in the pattern.
Small aircraft flight instructor reported an NMAC in Tower controlled traffic pattern.