Forum: aviation.stackexchange.com
Tags: <safety><air-traffic-control><commercial-operations><go-around>
Title: Why are pilots asked to provide a reason for a go-around?
Question: Why does the tower ask pilots what the reason is for a go-around? This seems to be standard for commercial flights.

Answers:
sents: text: The reason 1 pilot goes around may also be the reason the next pilot goes around, The second pilot would like to know before hand whether the runway is safe to land on.
text: For example if it is wind related he can delay landing until it dies down.
text: If it is debris related then the tower can dispatch a cleaning crew.
answer_details: author: aviation.stackexchange.com/users/609/ratchet freak
score: 40
sents: text: Pilots are not required to give a reason for a go-around, just to say that they are going around.
text: A go-around is a busy time for the pilot(s) of the aircraft - power, flaps, trim, must be set, gear raised in some cases.
text: The pilot needs to aviate first.
text: The tower wants to know why the go-around was initiated by the pilot as it may be relevant for safety and/or operations.
text: If the pilot is going around because of a botched approach then that won't impact other flights, however if there is a problem with the aircraft the tower can organize emergency resources.
text: If the go-around is due to a situation on the ground then the tower can look to clear that up.
answer_details: author: aviation.stackexchange.com/users/1791/GdD
score: 32
sents: text: The only reason for a go-around is that the pilot or ATC thinks that landing is not safe or possible for this approach.
text: When the pilot does that, they follow the 5 Ups memory aid ( Power Up, Nose Up, Gear Up, Flaps Up, Speak Up ).
text: You can see that by the time a pilot is ready to inform ATC about go-around, he is already going around.
text: Commonly, when ATC requests a go-around, it is if there is an unsafe condition such as an aircraft, vehicle, or object on the runway.
text: When the pilot decides to go-around, it can be one of the following reasons : the aircraft is not lined up it is not configured properly for a safe landing an aircraft, vehicle or other object has not cleared the runway no landing clearance was received (at a towered field)
text: the landing gear is not properly extended a dangerous meteorological condition is experienced on final approach (e.g., poor visibility, excessive cross-winds, windshear, etc.)
text: excessive energy (too high or too fast) or any other unsafe condition is detected
answer_details: author: aviation.stackexchange.com/users/65/Farhan
score: 14
sents: text: Short answer: because first you're disrupting the traffic pattern (especially at larger airports that don't use a circular pattern and coordinate direct approaches instead) and the tower will want an explanation, and second because if there is a problem outside the cockpit causing you to execute the missed approach, other craft might have the same problem, and if the tower knows about it they can take steps to resolve it, or at least advise other incoming craft.
answer_details: author: aviation.stackexchange.com/users/7629/KeithS
score: 10
sents: text: I've only got about 300 hours logged
text: but I have not once been asked WHY I am going around.
text: However if you "intend" to do a touch-and-go or an abort
text: /go around
text: you must inform them, because it's their job to know where every aircraft is going.
text: I usually tell the tower before takeoff
text: I'll be flying a "closed pattern" if just practicing TnGs.
text: Makes it much easier for ATC.
text: When I intend to stop, I will say landing "Full Stop" when turning final.
text: But, as Farhan said, if anything is off on approach or you bounce on touchdown, miss the touchdown zone, wind starts kicking your ass or if ANYTHING isn't perfect, it's full throttle, flaps up once +ROC, and figure out what u did wrong.
text: The tower can wait, they are all in there watching, laughing at your pathetic attempt anyway.
text: If something is wrong, do insist on priority access!
text: POC is in charge after all.
text: My alternator 172SP died on climbout once
text: and I didn't say a thing, just rushed to mid field and dove vertical out of downwind pattern, slipping the hell out of it to slow her down.
text: Per protocol, I didn't say a word to ATC until I was clear of the runway.
text: But always be nice to the ATC.
text: Fantastic guys that would do ANYTHING to keep their pilots safe.
text: The FAA/NTSB tho
text: .... they are the best reason to keep your mouth shut unless you are out of options!
answer_details: author: aviation.stackexchange.com/users/9367/TooTHPiCK
score: 4

Summary of the answers:
The tower needs to know why a pilot has initiated a go around because it may affect other air traffic especialy at busy aairports that do not operate a circular pattern. If there is a safety issue, other planes need to be informed and the tower would want to take steps to resolve it.
Pilots are asked to provide a reason for a go-around because it may affect other pilots coming in to land. Moreover, the tower needs to be aware of any problems so that it can take action if necessary.