An Instructor pilot and a solo student pilot reported the solo student pilot misunderstood ATC instructions and turned base leg too early resulting in a NMAC.
Synopsis
An Instructor pilot and a solo student pilot reported the solo student pilot misunderstood ATC instructions and turned base leg too early resulting in a NMAC.
Narrative
I was flying in Aircraft X with a student conducting training. I was coming into land Runway XX at ZZZ on a 3 mile final. I was instructed '#2 XX Cleared to Land'. Aircraft Y was a solo student coming into land XX at ZZZ on the downwind. They were instructed to look for 3 mile final traffic for XX. They found the short final traffic that was over the numbers and advised tower 'traffic in sight'. Tower advised Aircraft Y '#3 XX Cleared to land' to which Aircraft Y replied '#2 XX Cleared to Land' and began to turn right base for XX. Tower did not catch that Aircraft Y said '#2' instead of '#3'. Aircraft Y didn't catch Tower telling them '#3' instead of '#2'; nor did Aircraft Y tell Tower they were a 'solo student'. I was coming into land on a 3 mile final in Aircraft X; when I saw Aircraft Y's landing light and aircraft approaching me to my right about my 2 o'clock position; same altitude almost opposite heading.Luckily Aircraft Y turned quick enough not to hit my aircraft and passed in front of me. I called Tower and advised them that I had been cut off on final; and was making a right 360 for spacing. Tower advised Aircraft Z to taxi to parking. Then Aircraft Y called Tower to tell them they overshot base. Aircraft Y didn't realize how close they were to hitting me. Tower instructed Aircraft Y that they were instructed '#3 XX Cleared to Land' and that they cut me off on final. Aircraft Y told Tower they thought they were cleared '#2 XX Cleared to Land'. Tower advised Aircraft Y 'possible pilot deviation'. Then Tower asked me if I was okay; and that I was cleared to land XX. I landed on XX and taxied to parking; afterwards Aircraft Y did the same. Upon speaking to the pilot of Aircraft Y; they told me they didn't see me and didn't hear Tower tell them they were #3 for XX. Both the student's instructor and I gave training to the student immediately after; explaining to them that 3 mile final traffic isn't going to be over the numbers; but rather approximately 3 runways away from the threshold of XX. The student now seems to understand this and admits the incident was a complete accident and not intentional. All parties involved are not injured after this incident; it was certainly a learning moment for everyone involved. What I believe really caused the problem was Aircraft Y not having sufficient training on radio calls; not telling tower they were a 'Solo Student' and misunderstanding their actual landing clearance. I also believe this is caused by Tower not really listening to what the pilot read back to them; making sure the pilot understood what they were actually cleared for. I have spoken to the Tower Controller; the student pilot and the student pilot's instructor; as well as my student; and we all came to the conclusion that we need to pay serious attention to not only our own aircrafts' radio calls and clearances; but each other's.
Second reporter narrative
I was on a right downwind for Runway XX. ATC said follow traffic on 3 mile final number 3 clear to land. I heard number 2 follow traffic clear to land so I repeated number 2 follow traffic clear to land. ATC didn't respond so I followed traffic as if I was number 2 clear to land and cut off the airplane who was supposed to be number 2 on the 3 mile final.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.