Flight instructor and student on a recurrence training flight reported an NMAC with another aircraft while on final approach.
Synopsis
Flight instructor and student on a recurrence training flight reported an NMAC with another aircraft while on final approach.
Narrative
I was in re-currency training with a CFI; on final approach to ZZZ Airport; in right seat; CFI in left seat. My CFI had just reported we were on a 4 mile final. After awhile continuing on final and; about 1 to 2 miles out; my CFI noticed another aircraft turning from left downwind towards us; onto a left base! A second after she did; I noticed the other aircraft turning towards us. I started a steep turn to the right; but she (CFI) abruptly pushed the yoke forward; overcoming my attempted turn. She put the airplane into a steep dive to avoid the turning aircraft. I would estimate the other aircraft to be about 50 feet from us on a collision course. Due to her quick action; my CFI avoided a conflict/collision.Then; I thought I heard ATC clear us to land. I assumed ATC told the other airplane to turn back to downwind. (Later; when CFI listened to ATC; she said they said ' (My N number) turn back to downwind'. I said '(my N number)' and proceeded to land uneventfully.) Oops; I apparently misunderstood ATC; thinking they cleared us to land. I think ATC erroneously used our N number; not the turning aircraft's; instructing them to turn back to downwind. I don't know how I would have 'turned back downwind' anyway; since we were on a straight in and had just reported 4 mile final'. ATC didn't say anything to me when I continued the approach and landed. I was so disturbed at the near-miss; that I didn't hear exactly what ATC said after saying my number. I didn't hear them give any reprimand to the other aircraft either. (ATC wasn't very helpful or responsive later when my CFI telephoned them to ask about what happened and that she had averted a near miss!) After we were on the ground; my CFI also said that before the near-miss; ATC had previously asked the other aircraft to take actions; but they didn't comply (one instruction was possibly for a 360 turn). Thank goodness my CFI noticed the other aircraft turn towards us. She was in the left seat or she may not have seen it. She did see it before I did. If I hadn't been concentrating so hard on keeping my approach controlled; I hadn't noticed the other airplane not complying with ATC while they were on left downwind & starting an action resulting in a near miss. Lesson learned; ALWAYS be attuned to other aircraft and ATC when in the pattern; both watching and listening; i.e.; always keep situational awareness.
Second reporter narrative
Aircraft Y had been rented by a pilot from ZZZ. He was in the pattern while Aircraft X was cleared for landing Runway XX; long final. There were lots of confusing communication with several airplanes in the pattern. On the short final; my CFI student flying in the right seat; Aircraft Y; had just added 20-degree flaps and was slowing down for the short final. We were cleared to land. My student did the communication because we were working on their flight review. I was in the left seat and out of the corner of my eye; I watched a low wing turning into our flight path with very few feet to spare before the real 'kiss' would happen. Took 1/2 second to determine action. I pushed the yoke hard forward to descend out of the path the fastest way though Aircraft Y was also descending; in a skidding turn; onto final from the base. It appears that the pilot turned base and final too soon and did not respond to the Tower's instructions 'left 360 immediately!' According to the Chief Pilot at ZZZ; the pilot [of Aircraft Y] believed he was cleared to turn base. Several transmissions were stepped on. Tower communication was very hectic. Before landing; Tower said 'Aircraft Y Return to downwind;' [which was] meant for Aircraft X. It appears that the trainee at the Tower was having a very rough day. My humble opinion is that it is time for ZZZ Tower/Training Center to move on to a less busy Tower. Too many close calls and from trainees and students having a hard time with training & safety. I will no longer take my students to ZZZ until we have had a talk to discuss what happened. Trying to find a resolution without blame.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.