Small Transport
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 3.0
Confusion; Workload; Situational Awareness; Distraction
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Staffing; Human Factors; Procedure; Airspace Structure
My supervisor and I were conducting a skill check on the Local Control position that was currently combined with Ground Control. The field was VFR with ceilings around 2;700 feet and visibility 6 miles with Haze. Aircraft X was established on the ILS and ground speed was showing 90 knots inside the final approach fix. Aircraft Y was established on the ILS and ground speed was showing 200 knots inside the initial approach fix.Compression was observed and we began to discuss the possibility of a go around for aircraft Y. An airport vehicle began to call for request to transition between multiple points to help with a disabled aircraft on a taxiway and another aircraft was calling for taxi from a FBO that encroaches on the taxiway. I began to develop a plan for the vehicles and aircraft on the taxiways and my attention was taken away from the compression issue developing on final. The Radar Controller keyed the line to ask if I had slowed aircraft Y. I told Radar I had not attempted to slow the aircraft at that time. I then keyed up to instruct aircraft Y to slow down and his response was blocked by another aircraft. I was then going to initiate the go around which would have resolved the issue; but the landline from Radar was keyed up again to ask if I could provide visual separation with aircraft X and aircraft Y. I responded that I could not provide and at that time separation was lost due to the communication disruption.I initiated the go around to aircraft Y and the pilot would not execute the go around because he would have to declare minimum fuel. I immediately went to aircraft X and told the pilot to go around. A turn was issued to resolve any further loss of separation. After the incident my supervisor informed me that he had visual on aircraft Y prior to the loss of separation through his binoculars. Due to the distractions on the taxiway I was unable to quickly identify aircraft Y on final for my landline coordination with the Radar Controller.Anytime there is a distraction on the Local or Ground control position have Local and Ground positions split.
A BHM Tower Local Controller did not slow an aircraft following a slower aircraft on final approach in a timely manner. The first aircraft had to be issued go-around instructions.