Tower Controllers and a flight school instructor reported the instructor initiated a go around from short final due to another flight school aircraft being on the runway. The Controllers reported a mix up in communications; their inability to see the runway involved; and no ground radar contributed to their lack of awareness of an aircraft on the runway.
Synopsis
Tower Controllers and a flight school instructor reported the instructor initiated a go around from short final due to another flight school aircraft being on the runway. The Controllers reported a mix up in communications; their inability to see the runway involved; and no ground radar contributed to their lack of awareness of an aircraft on the runway.
Narrative
I was the relieving controller on local control. I had just accepted the position. There were two flight school aircraft on final to runway XX. There were at least 5 aircraft waiting to go at runway XL. Weather was hazy and could not see the aircraft. I cleared Aircraft Y to land runway XX. He was about 2 miles out. Another flight school aircraft keyed up and said he was on runway XX. I had no idea what was going on; as I was just briefed and nothing was said about an aircraft being on that runway. The controller being relieved was still plugged in with me and he explained that it was probably the previous aircraft that he thought he had cleared for takeoff and departed a few minutes previous. That aircraft was still on the runway holding in position at hotel intersection. I told the Aircraft Y on final to go-around; then went back and started asking Aircraft X where he was and to exit the runway. I could not see Aircraft X on the runway due to the haze and how far away that runway is from the tower. I thought the runway was clear because I was never briefed on any aircraft still holding in position. I still felt uncomfortable as to where Aircraft X was; so I sent Aircraft Y on final to go-around. There was some back and forth communications with Aircraft X on the runway. He finally cleared the runway and decided to taxi back to parking. We really need ground radar at this facility. It is just a matter of time before a catastrophic event happens involving all of these aircraft. We just cannot see them! We are running a one runway operation here most of the time because we always have one of the parallels closed due to various reasons.
Second reporter narrative
I instructed Aircraft X to LUAW (Line Up and Wait) RWY XX at intersection [taxiway] 1 to ensure they were lining up in the correct direction. I then turned my attention to the active RWY which was RWY XL and cleared numerous A/C to land and take off. I believed I cleared Aircraft X for takeoff and either did not or transmission was blocked or did not go out. I then vectored 2 flight school a/c off the RWY XL final to RWY XX to accommodate IFR departures off RWY XL. After departures cleared; I then cleared to two flight school A/C to land on RWY XX. When the first Aircraft Y was an estimated 2 mile final; Aircraft X advised tower that they were still on the RWY XX. As I was performing my 2 minute overlap the relieving controller instructed Aircraft Y and Aircraft Z to go around for re-sequencing and taxied Aircraft X off RWY XX and back to their ramp. Surface detection equipment and having sufficient help would have helped greatly in this situation.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.