Overview
Two airplanes were operating in a tower-controlled traffic pattern. One airplane was on a left downwind leg, occupied by a certified flight instructor (CFI), a dual student, and a student pilot/observer in the rear seat. The other airplane was on a right downwind leg, flown by a solo student pilot.
Sequence of Events
The local controller cleared the solo student pilot on the right downwind to land, following an airplane to the student pilot's left. Subsequently, the controller cleared the dual student's flight to follow the solo student's airplane on the right downwind. The dual student's flight acknowledged the clearance. However, both pilots in the dual student's flight misidentified the solo student's airplane and began following the airplane ahead of and to the left of the solo student's airplane.
After clearing the solo student to land, the controller again cleared the dual student's flight to follow the solo student's airplane. The dual student's flight continued following the airplane ahead of the solo student and initiated a turn onto the final approach. Shortly thereafter, the solo student's airplane descended onto the dual student's airplane.
Aftermath
The solo student landed on the runway without further incident. The CFI in the dual student's airplane executed a forced landing in open desert terrain. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over.