Airbus Industrie Undifferentiated or Other Model
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Human Factors; Procedure
I was working Local Control. I had one arrival to Runway 36L; a heavy; and one arrival to Runway 9; another heavy. Both aircraft had been cleared to land. At about midfield; the Runway 36L arrival reported he was on the go. At this time; the aircraft was about a 2 mile final to Runway 9. The unplanned go-around placed the go around in too close proximity to wake turbulence. I recommend that a procedure be developed allowing adequate spacing between Runway 36L arrivals and Runway 9 arrivals to protect for unplanned go-around situations.
Flew visual approach to Runway 36L; crossed threshold slightly below glideslope; over-corrected with power; and then floated to end of landing zone; resulting in a go-around. Announced go-around to Tower; who in turn directed crew to climb to 3;000 FT (MSL). During climb out Tower asked us for reason for go-around; responded; 'Long Landing.' Tower then commanded an immediate right turn to 090 and climb to 3;000 FT (MSL). Tower directed us to contact Memphis Approach Control. The Approach Controller informed us the Tower Supervisor wanted us to call him after we were on the ground and gave us his phone number. Tower Supervisor; was polite and cordial and quick to say we did nothing wrong; he just wanted clarification for why we went around. I explained we were going to land long and decided to go-around. He acknowledged we appeared to be well down the runway. He then explained he wanted to include my clarification in a mandated go-around report for events at airports conducting converging approaches. He told me the Tower Controller turned us to 090 degrees to try to minimize wake turbulence for another aircraft that was on approach to Runway 09. He said the other aircraft was advised of the potential for wake turbulence; continued with the approach; and landed safely.
MEM Tower described an unexpected go around event that caused concern regarding a possible loss of wake turbulence separation with a converging arrival aircraft.