Late go-around instruction for an Embraer ERJ195 at EPWR (SP-LNM)

Incident Overview On 12 August 2020, the State Commission for Aviation Accident Investigation reviewed incident 2020/2320 involving three aircraft near EPWR: a Cessna 150 (SP-HMN), a Cirrus SR22T (SP-AMD), and an Embraer ERJ195 (SP-LNM). The Commission issued its decision on 20 October 2022. ## Sequence of Events The Embraer was on an IFR approach in the EPWR TMA at FL 110, about 10 minutes from the airport. The tower cleared the Cirrus into the control zone toward VFR point NOVEMBER, while the Cessna was in a right-hand traffic pattern for runway 11 and instructed to extend the downwind leg. When the faster Cirrus reached NOVEMBER, the tower cleared it to approach and land on runway 11 with a left-hand pattern. The Cessna crew, however, reported having passed the third turn despite the earlier instruction to extend downwind. The tower changed the landing order, giving the Cessna landing clearance and sequencing the Cirrus second. The original Cirrus clearance was not canceled; the crew was only informed of the Cessna traffic and the possibility of a third turn. The Embraer was then on the final approach to runway 11, about 3 minutes from landing. The tower provided traffic information but did not instruct a speed reduction. After the Cessna landed and vacated the runway, the tower issued landing clearance to the Cirrus for a landing with an overflight to avoid prolonged runway occupation. When the Embraer was about 1 nautical mile from the runway 11 threshold at 800 ft AMSL, the tower instructed a go-around on a runway 11 heading, climb to 3000 ft AMSL, and contact Poznań Approach. The Commission noted that the wording and length of the transmission made it unclear whether the crew began the go-around because of the instruction or their own decision. The instruction was issued too late; normally it should be given before the aircraft reaches 2 nautical miles from the touchdown point. Around 10:56 UTC, the Embraer crew began the go-around and passed into climb from 600 ft AMSL. The Cirrus was then on runway 11 about 1 nautical mile ahead of the Embraer. The EPWR elevation is 400 ft AMSL. The Embraer completed a second approach and landed at EPWR at 11:10 UTC. ## Contributing Factors The Commission identified several contributing circumstances: the Cessna crew executed the third turn in the standard way instead of extending the downwind leg; the tower issued an approach clearance to the Cirrus as second behind the Embraer instead of breaking off its approach; and the tower did not instruct the Embraer crew to reduce speed on final approach. ## Safety Actions The Commission accepted the preventive measure taken by the investigating entity: the EPWR tower controller was briefed on the investigation results. No additional safety recommendations were formulated.