B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Human Factors
[Air carrier flight] [aircraft X] cleared to land on Runway 4R. C172 [aircraft Y] [cleared to land] on Runway 4L. [Another] C172 [aircraft Z]; holding short of Runway 4R at Taxiway F. Local Control cleared [aircraft Y] for take off on Runway 4L. A squelch was heard on the read back possibly indicating that another aircraft was transmitting. [Aircraft Y] began take off roll and [aircraft Z] entered Runway 4R with [air carrier X] within 1/2 mile final. Local Assist advised Local Control that [aircraft Z] was moving. Local Control advised [air carrier X] to go around. Subsequently the ASDE-X alarm advised that Runway 4R was occupied; go around. Pilot [aircraft Z] reported that she read back what she thought was her clearance and proceeded on the runway and was not aware of the traffic on final. I do believe that the call signs of the aircraft were similar. The Controller should have let the two aircraft know that there were similar sounding call signs on frequency and that they should use caution. I think also that after hearing the squelch when the aircraft read back the take off clearance that the Controller should have verified that the take off clearance was for [aircraft X] only.
Tower Supervisor described an unauthorized runway crossing that resulted in a go around event; noting similar call signs were involved.