2022-11 · NASA ASRS report 1947914
Air carrier flight crew reported a TCAS RA during visual approach to SFO Runway 28L when an aircraft joined the approach to the parallel runway. The flight crew followed RA instructions; performed a go-around; and advised ATC they were not able to accept another simultaneous approach.
While on approach to [Runway] 28L in SFO; we received a TCAS RA from an aircraft on a parallel approach to 28R. Approach advised us of converging traffic to 28R and we called the traffic in sight. After that approach gave us a vector of 310 to intercept the localizer for 28L and cleared us for the visual approach to 28L and to maintain 180 knots until 5 miles from the field. We were switched to Tower. Once established on final at approximately 10 DME; we received a traffic alert from our TCAS. We were configured with the gear down and flaps 15 with the autopilot and auto throttles engaged. Since it was night; we are not allowed to switch the setting on the TCAS to TA Only. At approximately 9.5 DME we got our first RA. It told us to level off. I immediately turned off the autopilot and auto throttles and followed the RA guidance. Following the level off; another RA to maintain current altitude and then to climb. While following all three RAs; both pilots had eyes on the conflicting traffic. Following the clear of conflict message; we were at approximately 2;800 MSL. The PM told Tower we were complying with the RA and we were going around. Tower gave us runway heading to 3;000 at approximately 2;500 MSL.After the clear of conflict message; I called for gear up. I focused on maintaining runway heading and leveling off at 3;000 MSL. Once reaching 3;000 MSL; I called for flap retraction on speed and approach vectored us around to downwind and to climb to 5;000 MSL. We vectored at 220 knots and 5;000 MSL. The PM notified approach that we could not accept a simultaneous approach to 28L and we would need spacing in order to not get another RA. Approach agreed and pointed out traffic would be on approach to 28R; but they would stagger us. They vectored us to final at 4;000 MSL and slowed us to 180 knots. Once established on final; they slowed us to 160 knots and cleared us for the visual. The converging traffic to 28R was staggered ahead of us. We configured and landed on 28L uneventfully. We had a passenger that had a medical issue that we dealt with approximately 2 hours before landing. We didn't need to declare an emergency for that issue (we contacted medical services and had doctors on board that stabilized the passenger) but it was an additional situation that compounded the RA/Go Around.
While conducting a night; VMC visual approach to Runway 28L in SFO; we were paired up with regional jet (RJ) traffic making a visual approach to Runway 28R. NorCal Approach advised both aircraft of each other and both aircraft stated they had the other in sight. We were switched over to SFO Tower and cleared to land. As the RJ traffic joined the final to our right; we received a TCAS RA to first 'LEVEL OFF' then to 'CLIMB'. The Captain was hand flying the aircraft at this point and followed the RA instructions. I notified the Tower of the RA and that we were going around. We executed a go-around and came back to land without incident. We advised ATC on the next attempt that we could not be paired up closely with other aircraft and they made arrangements for us.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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