Medium Large Transport
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 4
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Airspace Structure; Procedure
We are normally on runways 30 L/R. Today is the first day in a long time that the entire area was in an east plan due to strong winds and rain. TRACON had been vectoring all the aircraft inbound for Runway 12R at different angles and altitudes all day long; with several overtakes and at least one go-around because of compression on final. Aircraft X was about 10 to 12 miles northwest of 3 miles west of final descending out of about 2100 ft. I think he even went into conflict alert with a satellite airport aircraft because that is what drew my attention to him. I don't remember the aircraft checking on; but within 2 miles the aircraft was still not on final; but had descended further. It was about at this time that TRACON shouted over the shout line; 'Aircraft X; low altitude alert. Oh; no; he's not here.' I asked if Aircraft X was on frequency. When he replied that he was; I told him to return to the previous frequency because I wasn't sure which frequency it should be. I am not qualified enough to respond to this question.
SJC Tower Local Controller reported an arrival 2 miles from the airport was not established on final and TRACON relayed a Low Altitude Alert to them to issue to the pilot.