Last Friday (Aug. 11), a Cessna Citation XLS business jet executed a go-around at San Diego International Airport (Lindbergh Field—KSAN) after it had been cleared to land from 5 miles out on the RNAV (GPS) Y approach to Runway 27. But recordings show the controller had also instructed a Boeing 737 to line up and wait on the same runway. The 737 was lined up at the full-length approach end of Runway 27, which is 9,400 feet long but has a 1,810-foot displaced threshold for landing aircraft. The FAA reported: “The controller had previously cleared the Citation to land on Runway 27 and then instructed Southwest Flight 2493 to taxi onto that runway and wait for instructions to depart. The facility’s automated surface surveillance system alerted the controller about the developing situation.”
Audiotapes of the ATC communications confirm the clearances issued for both aircraft. But the recordings also show that, as they neared the airport, the crew of the Citation attempted to call the tower to confirm the landing clearance. But the initial call was blocked by a conversation between the controller and another taxiing aircraft about an amended clearance. After the Citation crew got even closer and asked again about its landing clearance, the controller urgently instructed them to go around. The FAA estimates the Citation came within 100 feet of the 737 as it overflew the runway.
After the Citation passed overhead, the controller directed the Southwest 737 to exit the runway as there was an Alaska Airlines aircraft on a 2-mile final for the same runway. The Citation XLS was redirected to approach control for a return to the airport for landing and the Southwest flight departed uneventfully about 10 minutes later.
