PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 160; Flight Crew Type 100
Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC
Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Human Factors
My flight instructor and I were performing a practice RNAV XX approach into ZZZ. We had received radar vectors to the final approach course from ZZZ TRACON and were approaching decision altitude. I was using a view limiting device and was monitoring the instruments and autopilot; while my CFI was scanning for traffic. About 500 feet above decision altitude my flight instructor called out 'GO AROUND!.' I immediately disconnected the autopilot and initiated a climb straight ahead; still using the view limiting device; when my CFI instructed me not to climb. I immediately removed the view limiting device; and saw Aircraft Y approximately 150 feet in front of and 50 feet above us. I initiated a left hand turn to the south immediately; and shortly thereafter was instructed by ZZZ Tower to go-around to the south immediately. I climbed to 6;500 feet MSL on a 180 degree heading; and went around for an additional attempt at the RNAV approach.Leading up to the incident; I received no traffic alerts from ZZZ Tower; nor did I receive any instructions from Tower regarding the approach.In my opinion a major contributing factor to the incident was ZZZ Tower not extending Aircraft Y's downwind to avoid a conflict; as well as the lack of communication between tower and I about the traffic's current position.This was a serious lapse in judgment on the part of both ZZZ Tower and the pilot flying Aircraft Y.It is my sincere belief that if my CFI had not been vigilantly doing his job while I was under the hood; we would have become much closer; and likely had a mid air collision.
PA-28 pilot reported that while performing a practice RNAV approach at an airport with an operating control tower; another Piper aircraft caused an NMAC on short final.