Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Student
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 10; Flight Crew Total 20; Flight Crew Type 19
Confusion; Distraction; Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification; Workload
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; No Specific Anomaly Occurred Unwanted Situation
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
This report was composed by an Instructor at FBO (at ZZZ). I am not the Students primary Instructor. A Student had to initiate a go-around after getting close to 'traffic to follow' while on short final to Runway XX. The private pilot Student completed FAR 91.103 requirements before proceeding with his local pattern flight. Weather was not a factor during today's mishap. ATIS information (XA56Z) reported winds calm; 10 miles visibility; sky condition clear; temperature 29; dew point 2 degrees Celsius; altimeter 29.97; visual approach to Runway XX. Fuel onboard was 20 gallons. Student was also familiar with Runway lengths as well as takeoff and landing distances. Student had on his person government issued photo ID; medical; proper logbook endorsements; and Student pilot certificate. Onboard aircraft (required documentation complied with).Student's last flight was 9 days ago. An aircraft had dropped FOD on the active XX Runway while the Student was on a solo flight in the pattern. Runway XX was closed temporarily while airport vehicles were dispatched to find the FOD. Meanwhile the Student was told to hold South of Runway XX. After the Student asked for clarification the controller told him to make 360s south of the airport. Student made 3 360s south of the Runway; meanwhile the FOD was found and Runway XX operations were resumed. Student then re-established himself on the left downwind for XX when he was then told to extend his downwind. Student was told number 3 to land Runway XX. Student waited till number 2 traffic was 45 degrees off his left shoulder before turning base. Student quickly overtook traffic on final and initiated a go-around while the traffic to follow was still on short final. Prior to this go-around Student had been told to initiate a go-around by Tower. A compilation of unfamiliar radio calls in the traffic pattern; 360s; downwind extension; a temporary runway closure; and two go-arounds narrowed the margin of safety and nearly exceeded the Student pilot's piloting capabilities; leading to a close spacing on final which lead to a go-around. The Student pilot feels remorse for what happened and the event has been debriefed in detail. The Student pilot has learned from his mistakes. The primary cause was pilot error; a high workload led to decreased situational awareness in the pattern.
A Flight School instructor reported one of their students turned final too close to preceding traffic and was issued a go around from the Tower.