PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60; Flight Crew Total 17000; Flight Crew Type 200
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict NMAC; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
After being cleared to land we began our descent from 2;500 FT MSL. The controller called us as traffic to another aircraft and asked us to maintain 2;500 FT. We leveled at 2;400 FT and began looking for traffic when I noticed him coming straight at us. I took control of the aircraft simultaneously pushing the nose over and advised tower we were descending. He abruptly told us that before beginning a descent that he needed to know. I stated it was a noise abatement maneuver as we were on a collision course.
GA flight instructor reported a near-mid-air-collision after receiving a clearance to land.