Large Transport
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 8
Confusion; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Human Factors; Procedure
Aircraft X on final to Runway 18L because Runway 18R was closed. I told him there would be a departure prior to his arrival and to start slowing. Aircraft Y (departure) Line Up And Wait (LUAW) 18L for traffic exiting the runway. I also informed him his company was on final and to be ready for an immediate departure. Aircraft Y was cleared for takeoff in a timely manner and spacing with the arrival looked adequate. Aircraft X called his own go around prior to the runway threshold. The departure was more than 6;000 feet down the runway and rotating when the aircraft on final called the go around. The departure was airborne prior to the arrival (now a 'Go Around') crossing the threshold.Being that it was a Mandatory Occurrence Report (MOR); somebody further up looked at it and said the departure was approximately 7;800 feet down the runway and 'not airborne' when the aircraft (that was going around) crossed the runway threshold. I did not send the aircraft on final around because; had he landed; it would be legal (more than 6;000 and airborne). I did not ask the pilot for the reason of the go around; nor did he state why. Things that would have helped; the departure would have been airborne sooner had he rolled quicker. I told him to be ready for an immediate but when I cleared him; he was slow to roll. Not like an aircraft ready for immediate departure. Likewise; I told the arrival to slow. He stated he was already slowed (180kts); but later slowed more (150kts). Neither of these matter in my opinion; because it was a legal operation. I am only filing this because somebody behind a desk; who did not witness the operation; said the departure wasn't airborne.It was a legal operation but; if I had to recommend something it would be; all the arrival aircraft be established on final; be slowed and with appropriate spacing for 'Hitting Gaps' prior to being switched to the tower on a five mile final.
MCO Tower Controller reports of a loss of separation due to a departing aircraft not being airborne when an arrival was over the threshold. Controller thinks the action was legal; but complained that someone who sits behind a desk made the determination that it was not legal.