Large Transport
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 22
Distraction; Situational Awareness; Workload
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Procedure; Human Factors
Aircraft X was an arrival from the east who was sent around by the tower because of a departure from the same runway [RWY24L]. Aircraft X was vectored back to the downwind by the departure sector and contacted me abeam a VOR on a 070 heading at 5000. The pilot did not mention any concern about fuel. Several miles later Aircraft X asked for their sequence. I advised them that they were #5. I honestly was aggravated by the question because I had more important things to tend to do. Several miles later Aircraft X called but I had other priorities to take care of first. Aircraft X called a second time and again they were not my top priority since they had never advised me of any issue with fuel. We were restricted to 5 miles in-trail because of a runway closure and I had an aircraft to clear for approach; another to slow to make room for Aircraft X; a departure who was on a converging course with an arrival. Both of those aircraft needed to be advised of each other since they were on a converging course 1;000 feet apart.As I'm calling traffic to other aircraft; Aircraft X [advised ATC] on 121.5. When I finally acknowledged Aircraft X on my frequency [128.5] they said they were an urgent low fuel flight and had already turned final on their own. I stopped Aircraft X at 3600 and advised them of Aircraft Y traffic 1 mile ahead. I cancelled Aircraft Y's approach clearance and turned them away from Aircraft X. I then cleared Aircraft X for the approach. I did not have the time to get souls and fuel because I had other issues to attend too.If Aircraft X had at any time advised me that they had fuel concerns I could have worked out a different sequence. I'm not sure how an A321 makes 1 missed approach at their intended airport of landing and goes from 'whats my sequence?' to 'we are an [urgent low fuel flight] and we are turning final'. What ever happened to 'minimum fuel?'
Aircraft X arrival. Cleared in Runway 24L. Due to runway construction 5 miles in trail required between arrivals. Shipped to tower and told to make s-turns for heavy departing prior to arrival. Subsequently a go-around was required due to traffic on runway. Handed off to Arrival controller and vectored to downwind. Pilot asked what his sequence would be. Told number 5. Continued on downwind and then attempted to contact controller to advise of fuel shortage. Frequency congestion did not allow for immediate attention. Pilot then called Mayday on 121.5 and reset transponder to 7700. The airplane turned right base behind Aircraft Y ahead of him. Another aircraft was abeam for south complex. Both aircraft were vectored off and Aircraft X landed Runway 24L.
SCT Controller and Front Line Manager reported of an aircraft that went around due to traffic; then was being sequenced to same runway as another arrival. Pilot attempted to question and advise the controller but; due to congestion on frequency; was not able to get a word in. Pilot squawked emergency and turned in to final. Traffic in front and alongside aircraft had to be turned out.