Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory
Procedure; Environment - Non Weather Related; Airport; ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings; Software and Automation
We were on a visual approach to Runway 36L in MEM on a clear and light wind day. I was the Pilot Flying and was hand flying. We were lined up with Runway 36L and right on the LOC. Around 100 feet I heard ATC say; '36 left traffic go-around'. There was no call sign but as we were the only traffic besides the Company behind us and as there was no time to discuss it I said 'Go-Around' and we went around. A true startle event. Switching to Departure; they asked the reason for the go-around and we said; We don't know and we were told to go-around!" We went around the pattern and then landed without further event. We asked Tower why we were told to go-around and they said an automated system said we were lined up with Taxiway Mike; the parallel to Runway 36L. And they have to issue a go-around instruction; regardless if they/we appear to be lined up with the runway. We got the Tower number after we got to the gate and the Captain called them after getting back to Operations. The Supervisor said that there is a new part of the ASDE system that provides warnings if airplanes are lined up with taxiways instead of runways. They have had issues with the system and have turned it off on certain parts of the airfield. He asked us to be sure and put in a safety report on our end as they are trying to fix the issues.Faulty alert on ASDE Taxiway Safety Logic. Recommend De-activating the ASDE Taxiway Safety Logic due to the faulty alerts it is giving. Or fix the logic and perhaps have different times it is in use; like IMC; etc."
First Officer was around 100 feet above touchdown zone; clicked off auto throttles. We heard 36L traffic go-around"; without our call sign being used. We went around as instructed. When handed off to Departure (126.7) they asked our reason for going around. I simply stated; "We were instructed by Tower". When back with Tower I asked why we were given the go-around instructions. The Controller told us there is a system called ASDE Taxiway safety logic that gave an alert that showed us lined up with Taxiway M. They visually confirmed we were stable and aligned with the runway center line; but said they cannot override the system and must send us around. A faulty ASDE Taxiway Safety logic computer. This caused a startle event that could cause an accident. Deactivate the system. Common sense should be used to override the system. The runway and taxiways were clear. The go-around could have caused a fuel problem for us at a busier arrival time. Not using our call sign made the event even more confusing."
Air Carrier flight crew on approach to MEM airport were advised to go-around due to an alert from the ASDE system.