Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Other / Unknown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Airport; Human Factors; Procedure
[We] departed on the 3rd leg of transition Captain Initial Operating Experience (IOE). Flight progressed normally until 90 minutes from LAX. At this time we received an abnormal amount of vectors and speed reductions. We questioned ATC and were told due to LAX runway closure LAX wants 30 NM in trail. Sent free text message to Dispatcher and informed him of this. No response from Dispatch. Rechecked our fuel several times and determined we would land LAX with over 6.0 of fuel. As I recall; reserve fuel was about 6.7 with an alternate of ONT. We re-discussed the LAX weather and alternate plans with 45 minutes remaining. Weather was 800 broken and 8 miles visibility at the time. Descent and approach was normal. [We] extended gear early to comply with ATC speed and altitude restrictions. This probably burned a little more fuel; but is not an unusual practice on the 737 fleet. Prior to 1;000 FT; with landing checklist completed; we received landing clearance from LAX Tower for Runway 25R. They were also using 25R for takeoff during this time. We had; at some point; heard an aircraft receiving line up and wait on 25R. At 800 FT we were in the clear and I could see the aircraft clearly on the runway threshold. At 600 FT I queried the Tower if our landing clearance was still valid. There was a slight pause and under 400 FT it was clear the other aircraft would not be off the runway prior to our landing. At this point the Controller told us to 'go around and offset left; maintain 2;000 FT.' We initiated a go-around and were told to fly heading 235; maintain 2;000 and contact SCT Departure. Upon contact with Departure I re-verified our heading and altitude and told Departure we had the other aircraft in sight visually. We were then vectored for the approach at 5;000 FT on downwind. The IOE Captain made a PA and checked with the flight attendants. We briefly discussed our fuel and options and concurred landing LAX was best. During the initial go-around our user defined FMS 'using reserve fuel' warning indicated we would land with less than 4;000 LBS at our alternate. I was aware this could happen in the event of a go around. The IOE Captain suggested we declare minimum fuel during the downwind. We did so; and we're advised we would be landing 25R at LAX; 12 mile final. During final approach inside of 5 miles; fuel low warning came on in number 2 tank.....1.95 on gauge. Landed uneventfully; and taxied to gate. [We] shutdown with 4.0 thousand LBS of fuel; slight imbalance of less than 300 LBS.
B737-800 Check Captain describes a low fuel situation arriving LAX due to delays for a runway closure and a go-around caused by an aircraft departure on the landing runway. Gate arrival fuel is 4;000 LBS.