MD-90 Series (DC-9-90) Undifferentiated or Other Model
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Human Factors; Airport
Runway 12R/L in use. Ceiling overcast at 3;700 feet with 20 knot headwinds on the field. No aircraft in the airspace when I took a hand off on Air Carrier X on the downwind. Other duties distracted me from the scope and was not actively watching Air Carrier X make his approach. He was the only aircraft I was working at the time. After a few minutes; I went back to my RADAR scope and found the Air Carrier X data tag in an odd spot about 2 miles north of final; 11 miles northwest of the field; in what appeared to be a turn back to the finals. He appeared a bit low (2;000 feet) and his data tag showed he was assigned the left runway when all of our arrivals are to be sequenced for the right unless coordinated. Air Carrier X then checked on for Runway 12R as NCT was calling on the shout line. I chose to ignore the shout line and answer Air Carrier X with a landing clearance for Runway 12R. I then checked in with the NCT shout line and he advised me Air Carrier X was lined up for the wrong airport (Moffett field). I immediately advised Air Carrier X of this and gave him instructions for Runway 12R at SJC. It appears that once Air Carrier X reported the airport in sight the TRACON Controller issued a visual clearance without insuring the aircraft was turning onto the proper final. This event occurs several times every winter in bad weather when we work on Runway 12 operation. Perhaps a stronger awareness from the TRACON in these types of situations is warranted.
SJC Controller described a coordinated Visual Approach to Runway 12R that was noticeably off course; NCT advised the aircraft appeared to making the approach to Moffett.