PA-32 Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga/6X
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 26; Flight Crew Total 2316; Flight Crew Type 1721
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict NMAC; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airport; Human Factors
I was arriving over [reporting point] at twilight for [landing]. Called in and noted that I had one aircraft ahead. Was told to follow the Sky Catcher aircraft ahead. Sky Catcher appeared to have tail marker light out and I did not observe any beacon/strobe making it difficult to see the aircraft. I asked for the Sky Catcher's ground speed and Tower reported 110 knots. I slowed to 110 knots and by the time I entered the pattern had extended 2 notches of flaps slowing to 70 knots. Upon nearing the midfield entry; I was given clearance to land and was 4th aircraft to land. Controller was very busy with constant calls and due to heavy traffic he asked that the aircraft behind me to circle at [a different reporting point]. Upon turning downwind I established myself at the pattern altitude of 800 feet. The Sky Catcher was below pattern altitude and very difficult to see due to its poor lighting; it being low in the pattern with its lighting blending with the ground lighting; and it being twilight. I was unable to observe it turning base. I then heard the Tower call the aircraft and it identifying itself on base. I found the aircraft on base. I tried to call Tower to confirm that this was the correct aircraft; but there was constant chatter. I waited for it to turn final; continued my downwind for about 30 seconds more and then turned base. As this was an extended final I maintained near pattern altitude including my turn into final. I had established more than adequate spacing between myself and the aircraft ahead; was slightly below pattern altitude; and below the VASI glideslope. While establishing myself on the glideslope the Sky Catcher called in that I had overflown him. Recognizing that I must have missed seeing him I immediately turned to the right approximately 60 degrees to provide an offset and attempting to avoid a potential collision. I was expecting go-around instructions (typically an offset to the right and overflying the airport). Tower issued me instructions to turn left 90 degrees which put me back on course. I responded requesting a confirmation that this was still approval to land and never heard a response back from Tower. Again; there was continued to be heavy traffic chatter. The Sky Catcher called again noting that I was still ahead. Tower asked him to go around. I landed.Observations:I failed to properly identify the Sky Catcher and apparently mistook another aircraft in the pattern as the Sky Catcher. As I had turned right from runway heading I mistook instructions to turn 90 degrees left as instructions to resume inbound heading.The Sky Catcher had its tail light out and appeared not to have an operating strobe/beacon making it very it difficult to see. It also flew a low pattern altitude and approach resulting in it blending in with ground lighting.Tower allowed traffic to stack up too tightly. Tower did not note my 60 degree turn to the right and issued the 90 degree left turn. Tower should have issued their typical instructions to offset to the right and go-around. Tower failed to respond to my request that I was still cleared to land. Failure to respond implied that my turn back to inbound was okay and I still had clearance.
The pilot of a PA32 misidentified the traffic to follow in the pattern and experienced a near miss due to an early turn.