Tower Controller cleared a Piper Seneca for takeoff; not mentioning a business jet on two mile final to the same runway. When the situation did not work; the Controller had been distracted and the arrival initiated and executed a go-around.
Synopsis
Tower Controller cleared a Piper Seneca for takeoff; not mentioning a business jet on two mile final to the same runway. When the situation did not work; the Controller had been distracted and the arrival initiated and executed a go-around.
Narrative
A Piper Seneca had departed about ten minutes prior to this event and had to return to the airport because one of the aircraft doors was ajar. He taxied back to the runway at Intersection Charlie and advised ready. By that time; aircraft Y had been cleared to land; but was still over 2 miles out. Thinking that the Seneca would be in a hurry to make up for lost time; I cleared him for takeoff without warning him of the traffic on final and opted instead to issue traffic for a VFR helicopter and a VFR airship southwest of the field; because there was a 3rd aircraft - a helicopter - headed for them at the same altitude; which was still talking to another Tower erroneously. I was watching this traffic out the window to the southwest when aircraft Y exclaimed; 'going around.'I turned back to the runways and saw that they were over the approach end climbing and the Seneca was barely passing Taxiway Echo on their departure. I issued go-around instructions to aircraft Y. The Seneca asked if they were still cleared for takeoff and since they were already airborne; though only a few feet off the ground; I affirmed that they were. I will not assume how fast or slow someone might takeoff and always issue traffic on final that may become an issue if expeditious departure is not executed.
Second reporter narrative
I was cleared for takeoff at Intersection Charlie; so I looked to my right to check that the final approach was clear. As I entered the runway I rounded the corner and added power for takeoff without coming to a full stop. Accelerating through about 30-40 KTS I looked up to see a Challenger executing a go-around about 100 FT (estimated) above me. At that point I closed the throttles and asked the Tower if they needed me to abort my takeoff. They said that it would not be necessary; so with adequate runway remaining and the Challenger quickly diverging; I decided to continue my takeoff without further incident.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.