Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 1662; Flight Crew Type 80
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
Initial radio contact was made with Tower when about 11 miles north of the airport. As I was part of a traffic flow of 3-4 airplanes approaching from the north; my initial call to Tower was that I was; '11 miles north with information xxx for landing; and I am aware of multiple other aircraft also arriving from the north.' Tower directed me to follow the Cessna ahead; and that I was cleared to land Runway XXR number one behind the other Cessna. This was the clear understanding I had; and this was also the understanding of the right seat flight instructor who was the pilot flying at this time. When approaching right base for Runway XXR I heard a 'Traffic; Traffic' alert from the onboard TIS system. Looking at the traffic display I observed a yellow target indication that was co-located on my position and at the same altitude. I called Tower and asked them whether they were observing any other airplanes close to me; and they said 'No; you look clear to us.' Having experienced many false TIS alarms due to aircraft on the ground when near airports; and with Tower's confirmation of no other traffic near me; I disregarded the TIS alert. When beginning the turn to final the flight instructor (pilot flying) saw another airplane turning to final out of our right window; no more than 50 FT laterally; and less than 100 FT vertically from our position. I immediately took the controls; applied full power; and climbed above the other aircraft as I began a 360 degree turn to the right. After re-aligning with the runway I landed the airplane uneventfully. The other aircraft apparently had been flying slightly below and behind our aircraft for some time but never saw us. I recall hearing that another Cessna had been cleared to land; but assumed that this was the airplane ahead of me. This event was most likely caused by confusion in the Tower as to relative aircraft positions; as well as the other Cessna pilot's failure to establish and maintain situational awareness. My call to Tower concerning the TIS alert should have caused more concern for them and would have tipped off the other pilot had he been listening.
VFR inbound to the traffic pattern experienced a NMAC with other pattern traffic as they were base to final; the reporter noting an apparent confusion on the Tower's part as to aircraft locations entering the pattern.