PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 123; Flight Crew Total 480; Flight Crew Type 407
Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Airspace Structure; Human Factors
My student and I were conducting a dual pattern flight at ZZZ. We were cleared for the option number 2 for Runway XX. Number 1 was on final and number 3 was student pilot solo who was behind us in the downwind after going around after his first landing attempt. We turned based and then to final being number 1. On about a 3/4-mile final from the runway; the student pilot solo turned base and then proceeded to turn final right in front of us; and slightly below us. My best guess is that he thought he was following number 1 and that he was number 2. At best glance; they were probably 400 feet in front of us; and 200 feet below us on final. I took flight controls; queried Tower and initiated a go around left side. The student landed and was given a phone number to copy down. After we completed our lesson a few laps around the pattern later and taxied off the runway; Tower asked if we were okay with the go around. It was certainly a little close for comfort; but we had enough space to recognize the threat and execute a go around.
Was the 2nd solo flight in my pilot career. I had arrived back into ZZZ traffic pattern into Runway XX. While on downwind; I was cleared by Tower as number 3 and cleared to land on Runway XX. I had identified the traffic in front of me as number 2 without any doubt. I followed that traffic and landed safely. Once I called up ground; I was notified that I had cut off the actual number 2 traffic and that traffic was forced to go around. In reality; I had incorrectly identified the number 1 traffic as number 2 and failed to see any other traffic making me believe I had the correct number 2 in sight.When I am in a congested pattern like ZZZ; I will use my multi function flight display map page and make sure there are no planes I have failed to identify. I will also start counting out traffic to make sure I have accounted for all of them.
GA flight instructor; a student on a solo flight; and the instructor of the solo student reported an NMAC in the traffic pattern during approach.