Air carrier flight crew reported a critical ground conflict as they taxied onto the runway for takeoff and another aircraft was final approach to the same runway. The flight crew stopped on the runway past the hold short line and the controller directed a go-around for the landing aircraft.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported a critical ground conflict as they taxied onto the runway for takeoff and another aircraft was final approach to the same runway. The flight crew stopped on the runway past the hold short line and the controller directed a go-around for the landing aircraft.
Narrative
Normal boarding; pushback; engine start; taxi etc. Was given wheels up time to IAH by Ground control; was ample time to do all checklists and ensure cabin crew was seated and ready. Held short of Runway 28R; at wheels up time Tower cleared us for takeoff on Runway 28R; fly runway heading. FO (First Officer) read back takeoff clearance to Tower; FO later told me he thought he heard a second voice on Tower frequency asking 'do you have adequate separation?' or something to that affect. As pilot flying and Captain; I asked for before takeoff checklist; and began to taxi onto Runway 28R. I visually cleared left; then right (final) and noticed landing lights which appeared to be 1-2 miles on final for the same runway we were using. I began to stop the airplane at the same time Tower instructed us to hold short of Runway 28R however the first 1/2 of the airplane was already past the hold short line. I stopped the airplane where it was; and Tower instructed a business jet to 'Go around Runway 28R and sidestep the runway' along with climb out/missed approach instructions. My FO asked Tower what we should do now; and we were cleared to line up and wait Runway 28R. Shortly after this; we were cleared for takeoff with departure instructions. The flight continued and terminated with no other issues or abnormalities. Tower and departure did not state that we made a mistake or that an incursion had occurred nor did they advise us to call Tower on landing. My impression is that it may have been a training event for a new ATC personnel and the ATC instructor pointed out the lack of separation and called for the landing aircraft to go around.
Second reporter narrative
Ground control provided us with a wheels-up time for IAH that allowed ample time for normal boarding procedures; pushback; engine start; taxiing; and the completion of all checklists; ensuring that the cabin crew was seated and ready without the need to rush. We held short of Runway 28R; at wheels up time Tower cleared us for takeoff on Runway 28R; fly runway heading. I read back takeoff clearance to Tower; I may have heard a second voice on Tower frequency asking 'do you have adequate separation?' or something to that affect but it was very faint and only after do I recall hearing that. As pilot monitoring and FO (First Officer); I ran the before takeoff checklist; and we began to taxi onto Runway 28R. I visually cleared left and right and noticed landing lights which appeared to be 1-2 miles on final for the same runway we were using. We began to stop the airplane at the same time Tower instructed us to hold short of Runway 28R however the first 1/2 of the airplane was already past the hold short line; I replied to him 'unable'. We stopped the airplane where it was; and Tower instructed a business jet to 'Go around Runway 28R and sidestep the runway' along with climb out/missed approach instructions. Having not been given further instructions nor had our take off clearance canceled; I asked Tower what we should do now; and we were cleared to line up and wait Runway 28R. Shortly after this; we were cleared for takeoff with departure instructions. The flight continued and terminated without further issue. Tower and departure did not state that we made a mistake or that an incursion or any other abnormal event had occurred nor did they advise us to call Tower on landing. The Captain and his impression is that it may have been a training event for a new ATC personnel and the ATC instructor pointed out the lack of separation and called for the landing aircraft to go around. The business jet was still far out when the go-around was initiated; but likely within 2 miles.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.