Flight instructor reported a NMAC event during traffic pattern training when the conflict aircraft overtook the flight instructor's aircraft in close proximity. There was no evasive maneuver since the event happened very quickly.
Synopsis
Flight instructor reported a NMAC event during traffic pattern training when the conflict aircraft overtook the flight instructor's aircraft in close proximity. There was no evasive maneuver since the event happened very quickly.
Narrative
My CFI and I were coming back from warming up with turns to come in for our first landing. We were in the left downwind leg for XX. We extended our downwind for a plane on a long final. We called on the radio we were turning left base Runway XX. I believe we also called final Runway XX as well. I saw the other aircraft at our 9 o'clock. Not sure the exact distance below us he was but it was pretty close. By the time I saw the other plane there wasn't time for evasive maneuvers. Afterwards the other pilot asked if we had called being on base or final and we said we had. During the incident it appeared the other aircraft was coming very quick and looking at the ADS-B data; it looks like the other pilot was going a good amount faster than normal for landing as his ground speed was 90 kts.Some things that could have contributed to this was the high amount of traffic both in the pattern as well as the amount of people talking on the same frequency. Weather was good other than some light turbulence on downwind leg.
Second reporter narrative
My student (Person A) and I took off at XA41 for a training flight and departed the aerodrome to the practice area some 8 nm northeast. The other pilot Person B and his instructor Person C took off right after us and remained in the pattern. I had noticed Person B behind us and greeted him over the radio but received no response. We had successful two-way communication with other aircraft; however. After about 20 minutes; Person A returned to the airport and performed a 45-degree entry into the left downwind leg approximately as Person B was taking off again; Person A had used proper radio calls when approaching the airport; when entering the downwind leg; and when established on the downwind leg.Person A flew the downwind leg; slowed when abeam the approach end to add flaps; and announced his turn to left base at approximately XB00. He had had to extend his downwind leg a bit; however; to allow for landing traffic ahead of us. I was aware of Person B's approximate position from his radio calls announcing departure; crosswind; and downwind ('left' presumed but not declared) and knew that his was a faster aircraft; so I was listening for his next call.At about 40 seconds after Person A's left base announcement; just as Person A was turning and about to announce his turn to final; I heard Person B announce his turn to left base. The timing did not draw a mental picture for me of having taken into account our position; so I announced that we had just turned final and that we were looking for him and that I hoped he was looking for us; which took approximately 10 seconds. As both Person A and I were looking around while also paying attention to maintaining final approach; about 10 seconds later (circa XB01) we saw Person B's plane coming at us from the left side and descending from 50-100 ft. above our altitude. Person A proceeded straight ahead while Person B continued his descent and broke to his right to pass behind and beneath us. It was at this point that I learned that Person B's instructor; Person C; was aboard; as he called me by name to ask if I had called left base. I responded that Person A had indeed done so and that I had followed up announcing that we were looking for [them] as we turned final. I do not recall hearing a response. I made another call stating that it had been a scary event and that I would like to understand how it came about and suggested that we talk on the ground later. That interchange took some 15 seconds; and then I was able to return focus to Person A as he continued his landing.I asked Person A if he was shaken and wanted to turn off or was good to go; and he stated that he was fine and so we continued on to take off. We did not hear anything else from Person B and Person C; but we saw on FlightAware later that they had gone to a nearby airport to continue practice work.I do not know if Person B was able to hear us or if he was effectively calling in the blind.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.