B737-700 flight crew reported being issued a line up and wait clearance from the Tower Controller while another air carrier was on short final for the same runway. The flight crew continued across the runway per ATC instructions and the other air carrier executed a go-around.
Synopsis
B737-700 flight crew reported being issued a line up and wait clearance from the Tower Controller while another air carrier was on short final for the same runway. The flight crew continued across the runway per ATC instructions and the other air carrier executed a go-around.
Narrative
We were taxiing west via [Taxiway] XX to [Runway] XXL during early morning - probably some early morning tiredness - in complete darkness following Aircraft Y. We switched to Tower after [Taxiway] XY and assumed - expectation bias - that Aircraft Y and Aircraft X were the only two aircraft on frequency. Airport was not very busy. Aircraft Y was cleared for takeoff and as they powered up we were told to 'line up and wait; Runway XXL.' We completed the before-takeoff checklist and as we turned south on [Taxiway] XZ to cross [the Runway] XXL hold-short line - I was FO (First Officer) - I said; 'Final's Clear.' However; we did note and talk about that there was an aircraft on final. We assumed - incorrectly; expectation bias - that this aircraft was on approach to [Runway] XXR. I assumed this; since we never heard Tower say something to the effect of; 'Aircraft X; Aircraft Y on five-mile final.' I'm also unsure if there were any transmissions between Tower and Aircraft Y that we heard; until we were taking the runway. Lastly; if I remember correctly; ATIS was reporting [Runway] XXL departures and [Runway] XXR arrivals - not that this means that an aircraft couldn't land on [Runway] XXL; but it added to expectation bias.As we continued south on [Taxiway] XZ the lights appeared to be trending toward our runway. At the point we started to question if this aircraft was landing on our runway; we heard Aircraft Y transmit; 'OK Tower; what do you want us to do?' Tower then stated; 'Aircraft X; continue across to exit runway... Aircraft Y; go around.' At this point; Aircraft Y was probably on a one-mile final. I don't recall exactly the amount of time that elapsed between us clearing onto [Taxiway] XA. However; it seemed to be about six to nine seconds. I could see the large Aircraft Y go around at about 100 ft. above where we just were.I think that we should have stopped the aircraft and asked Tower to clarify if the aircraft on final was landing on [Runway] XXR or XXL. Due to darkness and the fact that I don't normally fly at night nor do I get the sight picture of taking the runway with an aircraft landing on that same runway; it is difficult to visually confirm if they were landing on [Runway] XXL or XXR. Stopping the aircraft would also give us more time for this situation to play out and to communicate. It was just a compressed timeline and our brains could not take it all in during that short period. We never saw or realized the lights of Aircraft Y; until we were approaching the hold-short lines and by then it was taking us by surprise. We did not realize any aircraft was on final until that point.On the ATC side; I would like to understand their procedures. After some research; I am curious if Tower is allowed to issue line up and wait; LUAW; clearances during night and periods of low visibility. Additionally; I thought if they instructed an aircraft to LUAW; they had to add; '...aircraft on XX-mile final..' I never heard if Tower - we were not on frequency yet - issued Aircraft Y a 'continue' or a 'cleared to land' clearance. I'd be curious to get those transcripts.I'm also wondering if any air/ground/runway collision avoidance systems in the Tower were activated? Or was the Aircraft Y crew the last link in the chain that prevented this? Was there another controller in the Tower that saw this happening? Why did they issue us a LUAW with an aircraft on such short final for the same runway? Why did we even need to LUAW - there were no delays or backups? Did Aircraft Y sidestep? I have noticed an increase in new controllers - was this a new controller? Maybe they lost situational awareness on how far from landing Aircraft Y was. I really have more questions; since this could have turned out disastrous and my guess is this isn't the first time it has happened. My trust in ATC was somewhat high for Tower controllers. I've heard plenty of new Ground controllers struggling lately; but I assumed the Tower controllers were on ahigher level for a place like ZZZ. This has really opened my eyes to how the next aviation accident may play out and serves as significant lesson learned for me.
Second reporter narrative
We were cleared for 'line up and wait' on [Runway] XXL with an aircraft on about a two-mile final for the same runway. When given the clearance; we both acknowledged the runway and noted the aircraft on final. Due to the dark and angle of the aircraft; we thought he was lined up on [Runway] XXL. Aircraft Y queried Tower as to what they wanted him to do. At that point Tower realized they put us in position incorrectly and asked us to expedite across the runway. When we got on the runway we also recognized the mistake. I tried to expedite across but the engines were at idle thrust and did not spool up in time. Tower sent Aircraft Y around when they were about 1/2 mile out.Suggestion: Better communication and coordination between Approach and Tower when landing aircraft on [Runway] XXL during an early morning push.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.