Go-Around Ordered By ATC Prevents Aircraft From Landing On Parallel Taxiway With Four Airliners Waiting To Take Off

The pilot of an Air Canada A320 on approach to San Francisco International Airport lined up to land on a taxiway on which four airplanes were lined up for takeoff.

The Los Angeles Times reports that it is not known how close to the ground the A320 came, but recorded audio from the tower indicates that one pilot said that the plane "flew directly over us."

The transcript of the audio indicates that the pilot was apparently unaware he was lined up on at taxiway rather than the runway:

Air Canada pilot: Tower Air Canada 759 I can see lights on the runway there. Can you confirm we're clear to land?

Control tower: Air Canada 759 confirmed cleared to land on 28-right. There is no one on 28-right but you.

Air Canada pilot: OK, Air Canada 759

Unknown: Where is this guy going? He's on the taxiway!

Control tower: Air Canada, go around.

Air Canada pilot: Going around. Air Canada 759.

Control tower: Air Canada, it looks like you were lined up for Charlie there. Fly heading 280. Climb maintain 3,000.

Air Canada pilot: Heading 2-8-0. 3,000. Air Canada 759.

United pilot: United One, Air Canada flew directly over us.

Control tower: Yeah, I saw that guys.

The flight eventually landed about 50 minutes behind schedule. Air Canada did not reply to requests for a comment on the incident. The FAA is investigating.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.faa.gov