B757 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 7839; Flight Crew Type 4874
Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Human Factors
During last 1500 feet of approach to 28L in visual conditions; wind reported 180/11; tower cleared a 747 to cross 28L; hold short 28R. Then tower warned us about possible jet blast from the 747 at the threshold. The 747 did not pull up close enough to 28R; and I commented in the cockpit that their tail was a bit close. I was hand-flying; fully configured; on speed; and fighting a changing strong left crosswind that was also a bit of a tailwind. I commented again that the tail was close; that they should pull up; but didn't advocate to the First Officer (FO) to say it on frequency. She instead suggested staying slightly high; which I think I grunted agreement to; but at about 500 feet there was a strong wind push from the left which drifted us closer to the right side of the runway threshold. At approximately 200 feet I got the jet back on centerline; a little high; and the FO said 'Go around.' I said 'what? Go around?' and she said 'tower said go around; traffic' and she was talking to ATC and spinning in heading and altitude parameters. I hit the Go Around switch and started the climb; then called for flaps 20; check thrust; during the time the mic was hot while the FO was talking to tower. The remainder of the go-around was completed in chopped up steps between communications; but was completed safely. We were vectored for a tight downwind; did the after-takeoff checklist; gave the cabin a brief PA about the go-around; and were on the runway about 10 minutes after the go-around. We were never sure if the traffic was the 747 or someone else.The most unusual aspect of all this was I never heard the tower give us the go-around; nor any of the heading and altitude parameters. And until I got the jet back on autopilot on the very brief downwind; I only heard about 10 percent of what ATC said; being fully engaged in the 'Aviating and Navigating' part of basic flying skills. It felt like the few words coming out of my mouth were molasses-coated; while grappling with the initial part of the go-around.
B757 Captain reported a go around at SFO initiated by ATC for unknown reasons.