Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 1346; Flight Crew Type 600
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airport; Human Factors
While doing touch and go's another Cessna took off on the parallel runway. The tower advised Cessna [call sign] give way to the aircraft that just took off on [the parallel runway]. I did not listen to the instructions for my aircraft call sign was [different]. The Cessna turned crosswind in front of me and it was not until the same Cessna turned downwind that I realized that I might hit that plane. I took evasive action and went behind the aircraft and at the same time I called tower to let them know what was happening. The tower came back to me and told me did I not hear the instructions to follow the plane that I almost hit? My response was 'NO' I never received instructions. After reviewing the voice communications on ATC live I found that in fact we did nothing wrong and the controller was the one that issued instructions to an incorrect aircraft. [This] is a very busy airport and at times there are 5-8 planes in the pattern so I am sure the controller gets very busy. Per 14CFR part 91.3 it is the PIC responsibility of the safety of the flight. I exercised 91.3 to make sure that we did not end up on the local news.
A flight instructor reported a near mid-air collision due to miscommunication by ATC. Reportedly the incorrect; but similar; aircraft registration number was used by ATC to issue instructions.