Model 269A/300/Osage
Flight Crew Student
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 47.1; Flight Crew Total 55.2; Flight Crew Type 55.2
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification; Communication Breakdown
Conflict NMAC; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
I was cleared to land runway 15 and told I was number two. I saw a cessna on the runway and misjudged it as the number one aircraft. Tower asked if I had the aircraft at sight and at that point I thought it was the aircraft on the runway he was referring to so I confirmed I had aircraft at sight. He came in again and asked if I had aircraft short final at sight and I reported I was still looking out for traffic. He told the aircraft to terminate the approach and told me to turn left immediately which I did. He told me to inform my instructor to contact the tower upon landing.
My student was on a solo cross country flight. I reviewed his flight plan and all of his weather. All of the conditions were great for flying. I gave him a single Q and P endorsement stating I found him ready for the flight to ISM then on to MLB and return. He was instructed by tower to join right downwind for runway 15. Student did this fine. Tower then told him he was number 2 following a Cessna on final. The student mistook an airplane on the runway as this aircraft and reported it in sight and stated number 2 cleared to land. The student then turned base and was making his final leg when tower asked if he had the Cessna traffic on short final over the approach lights in sight. Student then stated he was looking for traffic. At this point the Cessna was too close for comfort and tower told him to go-around. He then told my student to turn left immediately and head eastbound. He then gave student instructions to call tower when he lands. Student could not understand what he was saying and tower finally told him to have me the instructor call when he landed. I believe that the students situational awareness was the key factor to this occurrence. It is hard to think for a student on a solo flight and make decisions for them.
A student pilot had difficulty understanding ATC instructions and mis-identified the aircraft he was to follow. His early turn led to a traffic conflict that was separated by ATC. The current and former flight instructors provided similar accounts and suggestions.