DL 777 made to go around at ATL as "joke"

[Blind Squirrel]

Flight 630 from Detroit was approaching a runway last Wednesday when a controller told the pilot: "630, go around," instructing the plane to circle the airport and attempt another landing, according to audio aired by Atlanta television station WXIA.

The controller then quickly said: "I'm kidding Delta 630. Delta 630, you're clear to land," according to the recording.

The pilot replied: "You sent us around. Delta 630 on the go."

FAA to investigate air traffic controller's 'kidding' comment | Reuters (http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/16/usa-atlanta-plane-idUSL2N0OX1H220140616)

[John in YVR]

Well, good for the Delta pilots. Once the GA is initatited changing back to the landing configuration would destabilize the approach.

Wonder if there was a reason for the controller to issue the GA or if it was REALLY just a bad joke.

A somewhat epensive bad joke.

[Ditchdigger]

Wonder if there was a reason for the controller to issue the GA or if it was REALLY just a bad joke.




The audio is available on LiveATC.


The genesis of the joke was that Delta didn't yet have a gate assigned, and suggested that ATC would need to find someplace for them to park.


Assuming the audio hasn't been edited down, it seems barely two seconds between the "Go around" and "I'm kidding."


Flight 630 from Detroit was approaching a runway last Wednesday when a controller told the pilot: "630, go around," instructing the plane to circle the airport and attempt another landing, according to audio aired by Atlanta television station WXIA.

The controller then quickly said: "I'm kidding Delta 630. Delta 630, you're clear to land," according to the recording.


That reads as if the controller ordered the go around and gave vectors, but it seems to me that the reporter was embellishing, for the benefit of the unwashed masses who wouldn't understand the implications of "go around."