PA-24 Comanche
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 24; Flight Crew Total 208; Flight Crew Type 148
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
Made multiple calls on CTAF for ZZZ stating about 10-15 miles out; after listening to frequency. Initially; there was one other plane in the area; according to monitoring the CTAF. The other aircraft's transmissions seemed to indicate they were on downwind at about 1;800 ft; which seemed strange because the altitude wasn't correct for the pattern at ZZZ. As we approached the airport; the other aircraft wasn't in sight. I made at least two calls on the CTAF; prior to traffic pattern arrival; indicating that we planned to enter a left downwind overhead for Runway XX (since the other aircraft had mentioned they were on downwind for Runway XX). Just about the time we were directly over the field; I could see another aircraft about 5-6 miles to the northwest of the field. I asked my passenger to continue looking around because the other aircraft was obviously not on downwind - they were too far away. I announced that I had an aircraft in sight to the northwest and asked if they had me in sight - they replied that they had us in sight. I again announced that I was entering a left downwind for XX. As I turned base (approximately 45 degrees from the approach end of Runway XX); I could see the other aircraft on downwind behind me. As I turned final and completed pre-landing checks; I was surprised to see the other aircraft make a left descending turn from downwind. I asked on the CTAF if they had us in sight; and they replied in the affirmative. As I turned final; I was amazed to see that the other aircraft was turning final in front of me! At first I thought maybe they were going to go around; but after a few seconds it appeared that they were landing. At this point; I was starting to catch up with them and elected to (and announced) that we were 'going around'. We climbed to and again entered a left downwind for Runway XX and subsequently completed the pattern and landing without issue. Sometime during the go-around; another pilot who was landing on Runway YY contacted me via the CTAF and said he would meet me at the gas pump when we were on the ground. The other pilot had landed shortly after (maybe almost the same time) as the pilot that landed on Runway XX. He had taxied to the approach end of Runway XX after landing on Runway YY to 'follow' the aircraft that had cut into our pattern. The aircraft was from a flight school; so I called the flight school and talked with an instructor there. They said that there was only one student 'out' at that time and they knew who they were; but (they) were not the student's instructor. I asked the flight instructor if the students have to pass any type of English language communications test before flying solo and he said that they did. It is apparent to me from this experience that it the student definitely didn't have sufficient English speaking and listening comprehension skills to be flying solo safely. I also believe they need additional instruction in pattern work; as they turned base when almost directly opposite the numbers (from my perspective when on base). In 20/20 hindsight; it appears that the student pilot most likely did not understand when I asked him if he had us in sight - maybe he thought I was asking if he had the airport in sight. I can't imagine that he actually would have turned on base or final if he knew we were in the pattern ahead of him (at least I hope that's the case).
GA pilot reported an airborne conflict at an uncontrolled airport.