Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 5
Confusion
Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Human Factors; Airport
Aircraft X was sequenced and cleared to land on Runway 25. They were number one for the runway about 1 mile final when they asked about an aircraft on the runway. I scanned the runway and there were no aircraft on the runway. I told Aircraft X I did not see any aircraft on the runway. They came back and said there was an aircraft on the runway; and I sent them around.All three tower positions scanned the runway and did not observe any aircraft. About that time; it appeared that Aircraft X was overflying Taxiway N on their go-around. I sequenced them into left traffic and told them it appeared they were lined up for Taxiway N on their approach. I asked if they needed the lights on to help with lining up for the runway; but they came back with they got it figured out.Both GC (Ground Control) and LC (Local Control) were looking at Aircraft X with binoculars to ensure gear was down just prior to the report. From our vantage point in the tower; it did not appear; or we were able to visually see that Aircraft X was lined up with N taxiway.After Aircraft X landed and called the Tower; they stated they saw an aircraft exit the runway and turn on Taxiway G. Taxiway G does not intersect with Runway 25 but does intersect with Taxiway N.Aircraft lining up with taxiways at MRI is becoming quite common. The runway and taxiway markings are very worn; and pilots have said they are hard to see from the air.My recommendation would be to apply fresh paint to the airport markings.Additionally; a warning about surfaces that look like parallel runways (Taxiway Q; N; A) should be notated on the airport diagram.
MRI Tower Controller reported an aircraft was lined up for a taxiway instead of the runway resulting in a conflict and go-around. Reporter stated this is a common occurrence and cited worn runway and taxiway markings may be contributing to the events.