Date: 201510
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: RFD.Tower, IL
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Night
Aircraft: Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Retractable Gear
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Mission: Personal
Flight phase: Final Approach
Airspace: Class D RFD
ATC / advisory: Tower RFD
Reporter organization: Government
Reporter function: Supervisor / CIC
Reporter qualification: Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Human factors: Situational Awareness; Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Contributing factors: ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings; Human Factors
Primary problem: ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings

Narrative: I was working the Supervisor position at the time of the occurrence. I turned my head to my right and observed Aircraft X about to land on a runway which was closed; on short final; just prior to the blast-pad. I blurted out 'Go around; go around!' to the developmental at Local Control; who was training at the time while standing up; looking around. I saw the developmental look down at the Local Control podium; presumably to find Aircraft X's call-sign on paper; to issue a go-around to that aircraft. I saw the developmental look towards Aircraft X and also heard him issue a go-around with a call-sign to the aircraft. The aircraft appeared to initiate a go-around just prior to the runway threshold over the blast pad for the runway. I also heard Aircraft X's engine rev up during the go-around maneuver.The closed runway had at least one vehicle on it near the hold short markings for the intersecting runway on near the intersection of the runways. Aircraft X that went around eventually was sequenced for an active runway and landed. I instructed the Instructor and Trainee at Local Control to issue the pilot the Brasher Warning; and it was accomplished while the aircraft was taxiing to parking.I filed an MOR after the pilot called and talked to me about the event. While filling out the MOR; I noticed that the Local Control position did not have the Runway Closed memory jogger strip holder; nor the Vehicle memory jogger strip holder displayed at the position. Later; I realized the airport authority did not have in place the large; lighted 'X' sign on the approach end of the runway; which is occasionally placed at the end of a closed runway.Since the airport authority closes runways for maintenance almost on a daily basis; I would recommend that we at the tower be more aware of the finals; especially to a closed runway. This can be accomplished by scanning out the windows more along with monitoring the RADAR display more. We need to be more aware of our memory jogger requirements when a runway is closed; or when a vehicle is near the active runway and display them prominently at the control position. I would also recommend that our local airport authority ALWAYS bring out the large; lighted 'X' signs on the closed runway so as to be a reminder to the pilot if they are off course lining up for the wrong runway and to not use it.




Synopsis: Tower Supervisor noticed an aircraft on short final to a closed runway. The Supervisor immediately alerted the Local Controller to issue a go around instruction which they did in a timely manner. The airport had an active intersecting runway at the time. The reporter does not state if the Controller cleared the aircraft to land on the closed runway or if the pilot lined up to the wrong runway and the Controller didn't notice.