Narrative:

I was piloting as I entered the airport traffic pattern in a mid-field entry to right downwind runway 25R at klvk per ATC direction; I was also cleared to land #2 for runway 25R behind a cirrus on a 3 mile final. I acknowledged the clearance. As I approached abeam the numbers of the approach end of runway 25R; I established my descent power settings; and flaps. I also glanced out my right passenger window and observed a white low wing aircraft on the ground (which I believed was a cirrus; I was supposed to follow based on its higher approach speeds and being on final as I entered downwind). I continued into my descent; turned right base and looked towards the runway. There was severe glare from the setting sun on the horizon line; which made the airport difficult to see. I looked left; did not see any traffic and believed the cirrus had landed and was the aircraft I observed prior. I turned final; confirmed I was on glide path with the PAPI and at approximately 700 ft AGL at 70 kts indicated; I was told by klvk tower to go-around. I complied immediately and notified tower that I had a prior departed aircraft in sight. The tower did not specify if I should off-set for the go-around; so I asked and was told to off-set to the north of the runway. I complied and followed directions to return through a normal pattern and approach; which concluded in a full-stop landing. I asked as to distances and spacing; which tower was unable to provide. The cirrus had not made any turns to avoid or radio calls to me or the tower at the time this incident took place.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: C172 pilot reported an NMAC in the traffic pattern; citing severe glare as a contributing factor.

Narrative: I was piloting as I entered the airport traffic pattern in a mid-field entry to right downwind Runway 25R at KLVK per ATC direction; I was also cleared to land #2 for Runway 25R behind a Cirrus on a 3 mile final. I acknowledged the clearance. As I approached abeam the numbers of the approach end of Runway 25R; I established my descent power settings; and flaps. I also glanced out my right passenger window and observed a white low wing aircraft on the ground (which I believed was a Cirrus; I was supposed to follow based on its higher approach speeds and being on final as I entered downwind). I continued into my descent; turned right base and looked towards the runway. There was severe glare from the setting sun on the horizon line; which made the airport difficult to see. I looked left; did not see any traffic and believed the Cirrus had landed and was the aircraft I observed prior. I turned final; confirmed I was on glide path with the PAPI and at approximately 700 ft AGL at 70 kts indicated; I was told by KLVK Tower to go-around. I complied immediately and notified Tower that I had a prior departed aircraft in sight. The Tower did not specify if I should off-set for the go-around; so I asked and was told to off-set to the north of the runway. I complied and followed directions to return through a normal pattern and approach; which concluded in a full-stop landing. I asked as to distances and spacing; which Tower was unable to provide. The Cirrus had not made any turns to avoid or radio calls to me or the Tower at the time this incident took place.

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.