Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 3178; Flight Crew Type 3178
Communication Breakdown; Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Conflict Airborne Conflict
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings; Aircraft; Human Factors
This event occurred while approaching from the west for a landing. I had contacted Tower reporting my position as being north [of city] and requested landing with parking. I was told to report the water tower. I reported the water tower and was asked if I wanted XXR or XXL. I indicated my preference for XXR. I was instructed to look for and follow a Pilatus on final. I saw what I thought to be the Pilatus on a course and in a position to be the aircraft I was to follow and reported seeing that aircraft. I was instructed to follow the Pilatus. I set a course; a base leg that would allow me to be spaced behind that aircraft. Given my closeness to that aircraft I requested Runway XXL to allow better spacing. It was then my [passenger] alerted me to an aircraft; a Pilatus; approaching from the left. That aircraft passes below me. The Pilatus pilot was concerned to the point of wanting to speak with the Tower via phone after landing. I was also concerned that I had mistaken another aircraft for the called traffic. This happened in deep twilight conditions; dark to the point that visually identifying things was not easy. My plane is equipped with ADS-B in and out via a Stratus ESG transponder and a Stratus 2i receiver. Navigation maps and traffic is displayed on an iPad mini via Foreflight. No warning of conflicting traffic was noted.
Cessna 172 pilot reported an airborne conflict with a Pilatus due to misidentifying other traffic.