Large Transport
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 1.7
Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Runway; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach
Procedure; Human Factors
While working Clearance Delivery; I was functioning as a Tower team member by helping to scan the airspace and runways. I watched Aircraft X make multiple S-turns on final for Runway 8 due to compression with the aircraft ahead of it (Aircraft Y). On one of the S-turns; the aircraft went through the final approach corridor for Runway 8 and partially into Runway 7R's final approach corridor; trying to build spacing between it and the aircraft ahead within a 5 mile final. The aircraft was performing low level maneuvers and was operating outside of a stabilized approach for such a low altitude.The controller; rather than initiate a go around; allowed the aircraft to cross the Runway 8 threshold with Aircraft Y still on the runway. ASDE-X did not alarm. I observed the aircraft to be in a 10 degree bank to the right just prior to touchdown in its last ditch effort to avoid going around. The controller working Local North has had multiple occurrences of not issuing go around instructions; not wanting to 'Penalize' aircraft. Controller is under the impression that because the data block indicates the aircraft has visual separation with the aircraft ahead of it; that all responsibility for remaining in safe flight conditions rests with the pilot. I feel this is an extremely unsafe situation that keeps occurring.
PHX Controller observes local control having an operational error and states this person doesn't want to penalize the following aircraft; so they let them land.