There are a couple of reasons why the controller could not issue a side-step instruction. First, in order to give a side-step directive, the runways must be within 1200 feet of each other. None of the three parallel runways at CVG are within 1200 feet of each other. Secondly, while there are 3 parallel runways at CVG, none of them have the same glide slope. In other words, if this pilot was on approach to 18C he would be too high to land on 18R. If he was on approach to 36C, he would be too low to land on 36L and would have crashed. Airlines, controllers, and pilots want planes to get to the gate as quickly as possible. So even if there are only 2 planes on approach to land, you better believe that they will be as close as legally allowed to each other so they can land and get to the gate as quickly as possible. Traffic volume doesn't have anything to do with it.

I am sorry but this is pathetic that the controller even had this happen at CVG. It has a fraction of the traffic it once had and 4 runways (3 parallel). Absolutely no reason they had to have those aircraft land right behind one another. Have him side-step to the parallel runway. The demand by no means requires them to have them on such minimal seperation.

blue collar, The answer could very well be observing and alerting the landing aircraft and making adjustments for other aircraft in the vicinity to make sure there is plenty of clearance for the aborted landing aircraft to climb back into safety for a circle around. And yet I observe... oddly your name does not fit your comments. These are professional workers, not amateurs, with many hours of training and work experience behind them, not white collar mind you... Real Blue Collar professionals.

Years ago, I had a scary experience too. Sitting in the rear of a BAC 1-11 (DC-9 clone) about to touchdown at night in patchy fog. Full power abort and the steepest climb I thought possible. Lights went out and overheads popped open dumping items onto passengers. Most people started screaming as the plane was climbing in a very steep bank all in the dark. I was the last off the plane and while walking on the jetway, I heard the pilot say he could see the rivots in the other plane. That is the one time I have gotten weak in the knees while flying.

It probably wasn't as scary as the media is trying to make it. This sort of thing happens all the time. First of all, I am quite certain the pilot was aware of the other plane (probably had visual of it) throughout his approach to the runway. The plane was likely at the far end of the runway and perhaps missed a turnoff so it took him longer than the controllers expected for him to get off the runway. Again, happens every day. So the pilot followed a planned procedure that all pilots plan for during their approach and executed a "go around." I'm not sure how a passenger can judge that the plane was 10 feet from the runway in the cabin. Now of course I was not on the plane, I am just speaking from my many years of flying experience. However, the incident is not even listed as a runway incursion on the FAA's database, so it was likely just a routine go around.

Something similar happened to me once when we were landing at Dulles A/P. We were on final approach, and the plane suddenly increased altitude, banked hard left, and landed on another runway (it was like being on a roller coaster). We found out that there was a plane on our original runway, taking off, coming right at us. SCARY! Needless to say, our pilot got to shake hands with everyone on our flight as we walked off...he got a few hugs, too. That one one place full of thankful people.

Wow. I bet that was scary. Is there going to be more details on this on why it happened? Could have been tragic.

While the ground controllers and the tower controllers are in two different locations, the active runways are still controlled by the tower and not the ground. So the approaching aircraft and the aircraft that was still on the runway should have been controlled by the same person for obvious reasons. Even for an aircraft to cross and active runway, they will have to contact the tower for clearance.

An excellent pilot

a excellent pilot