B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 180
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown; Time Pressure
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Procedure
I was Pilot Flying. At approximately four mile final; we were cleared to land on Runway XXR. I saw a smaller aircraft in position on runway. Pointed it out to FO who confirmed he saw it as well. Traffic was not rolling as we got closer. FO confirmed landing clearance with Tower. We then told Tower that there was an aircraft on the runway. I quickly reviewed go-around procedures. Tower told other aircraft to immediately exit runway to the left. Got down to about 300 ft AGL and aircraft appeared to have cleared safely; however; we did the go-around; visual pattern and return. End of event. Confirm conflicting traffic earlier. Seems like Tower forgot he was there.
On final approach in VMC conditions on ZZZ Runway XXR; we were cleared to land. On a mile final; the Captain noticed a small plane in position on Runway XXR. On short final; we asked if we were cleared to land. Tower confirmed we were cleared to land. I quickly asked about the plane on the runway. Tower was unaware of the small twin engine GA aircraft on the runway. The Tower told the small plane to quickly exit the runway. As the small plane was trying to clear the runway; the Tower told us to go around. We executed a normal go-around and came back for a visual approach without further incident.
Local Controller cleared an aircraft into position after the previous landing and became distracted by an ASDEX alarm; assumed to be an operations vehicle. The aircraft in position was forgotten until the next jet arrival crew asked about it and were sent around at 200 feet.