LAS Controller elected to circle an aircraft to other than the principal runway due to an overtake situation and violating airspace in the process; the reporter noting the Final Controllers need to compensate for compression.
Synopsis
LAS Controller elected to circle an aircraft to other than the principal runway due to an overtake situation and violating airspace in the process; the reporter noting the Final Controllers need to compensate for compression.
Narrative
While working Local Control 1; I noticed aircraft on final were slowing rather quickly due to the high winds. I already had 2 aircraft with 2 miles of separation behind each other on final; but speeds were matched. A B737 started making his turn to final doing 180 KTS. He joined final about 2.5 miles behind another B737 doing 140 knots. On initial contact; I advised the B737 that he had a 40 KT overtake on the B737 ahead; he replied that he was slowing. Separation started diminishing down to less than 2 miles and I noted that the B737 was still doing 180 KTS. With another aircraft about 2.5 miles behind him; I had only 2 options; circle the B737 to the 19's or send him around. I asked the B737 if he could accept 19L or 19R; he replied affirmative. I immediately circled the B737 to 19L without coordinating with the Approach Controller. I violated another Controller's airspace without coordination or a point-out before conducting the circle. The Supervisor asked me if I had pointed the aircraft out; and I said negative; can you call them. The Supervisor called the TRACON to advise them of the maneuver. With separation decreasing and the short amount of time I had to react; I did what I felt I needed to do to separate airplanes even if it meant an airspace violation. The B737 landed safely without incident. Even though the pilot was told to follow the preceding aircraft; the TRACON needs to understand that; especially in high winds; they can't compress our final to the minimums. There were 4 aircraft in a 7 mile space; someone was going to have to go around.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.