Narrative:

My student and I were practicing the localizer DME runway xx approach into ZZZ. I had made 3 position reports on the CTAF frequency notifying airport traffic of our position on the approach; and what our intentions were. The winds were favoring runway xy and that's what runway was in use at the time. I had planned to do a low approach over the top at circling approach minimum which [was] 1260 ft; and then enter the downwind for runway xy; and I made that clear over the CTAF. The goal was to practice circling to land off an approach with my instrument student. A piper seminole had just departed the runway and I had that traffic in sight; and I was aware there was another aircraft that was behind the seminole on final. Believing I had enough time; I had my student take off the hood; at which point the aircraft was under my control. As we passed over the top of the field in preparation to circle; I realized that there was only about 400 feet between me and the other aircraft which had been behind the seminole (as noted via the traffic information service and visual observation). Rather than continue; my student and I departed the pattern and re-entered on the 45 for runway xy without incident. ZZZ is among the top 4 busiest airports within the state; but is un-towered. The field is currently attempting to fund a control tower; which many people believe is much needed and critical to maintaining the safety at the airport. However; in order to prevent future occurrences; and until a tower is implemented; breaking off approaches and re-entering on the 45 when there are multiple aircraft in the pattern is probably safest.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Instructor pilot decided to break off approach due to close proximity of traffic at a non-towered airport airport.

Narrative: My student and I were practicing the Localizer DME RWY XX Approach into ZZZ. I had made 3 position reports on the CTAF frequency notifying airport traffic of our position on the approach; and what our intentions were. The winds were favoring Runway XY and that's what runway was in use at the time. I had planned to do a low approach over the top at circling approach minimum which [was] 1260 ft; and then enter the downwind for Runway XY; and I made that clear over the CTAF. The goal was to practice circling to land off an approach with my instrument student. A Piper Seminole had just departed the runway and I had that traffic in sight; and I was aware there was another aircraft that was behind the Seminole on final. Believing I had enough time; I had my student take off the hood; at which point the aircraft was under my control. As we passed over the top of the field in preparation to circle; I realized that there was only about 400 feet between me and the other aircraft which had been behind the Seminole (as noted via the Traffic information Service and visual observation). Rather than continue; my student and I departed the pattern and re-entered on the 45 for Runway XY without incident. ZZZ is among the top 4 busiest airports within the state; but is un-towered. The field is currently attempting to fund a control tower; which many people believe is much needed and critical to maintaining the safety at the airport. However; in order to prevent future occurrences; and until a tower is implemented; breaking off approaches and re-entering on the 45 when there are multiple aircraft in the pattern is probably safest.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.