Limited experienced controller described a complex traffic event that eventually resulted in a go ar...

Narrative:

On short final a B737 requested a 360 and did not give a reason why; traffic was relevantly slow and I had one A319 six mile final cleared to land and looking on my scope I saw a second B737 flight inbound runway 25L approach talking to approach about 17 mile final. I told the second B737 to fly runway heading and I would coordinate and see if I could get him a closed traffic pattern. I coordinated to final sector to see if they would allow a closed traffic behind the A319. Hesitantly; the final sector approved the request; I believe that is what pushed me to opt for the closed traffic. As the second B737 climbed; I issued left closed traffic; adding I need you to keep it tight for traffic on 15 mile final; and instructed to advise the A319 on 2 mile final in sight. The second B737 reported the A319 in sight and I instructed the second B737 to follow the A319; 'cleared visual runway 25L' and then also told the second B737 traffic 15 mile final. The second B737 did not turn base to final and was nearly abeam the company aircraft. I asked if I could take the first B737 to the 19's and he said that was fine. I told the second B737 to fly north for runway 19L; as I instructed this; I noticed final had started turning another B737 and another A319 north to the 19's to avoid the first B737. I had not had time to coordinate my intentions at this point to final sector to avoid them changing the second B737 and second A319's route to the 19's. I observed the first B737 turn north and ask the B737 if he still had his company in sight; he reported the company insight. I told him to follow his company to the 19L and maintain visual separation. Tower had visual out the window with all aircraft at all times. I do not believe there was loss of separation or a vector below the MVA. I am fairly low in experience and during training our tower simulator was not running yet; I have requested to have a few days working on the simulator running problems that involve unusual situations. I need to continue to improve my skills and make better decisions during times of unusual situations and will continue to strive to be better.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Limited experienced Controller described a complex traffic event that eventually resulted in a go around; the reporter indicated the need for training on unusual traffic situations.

Narrative: On short final a B737 requested a 360 and did not give a reason why; traffic was relevantly slow and I had one A319 six mile final cleared to land and looking on my scope I saw a second B737 flight inbound Runway 25L approach talking to Approach about 17 mile final. I told the second B737 to fly runway heading and I would coordinate and see if I could get him a closed traffic pattern. I coordinated to Final Sector to see if they would allow a closed traffic behind the A319. Hesitantly; the Final Sector approved the request; I believe that is what pushed me to opt for the closed traffic. As the second B737 climbed; I issued left closed traffic; adding I need you to keep it tight for traffic on 15 mile final; and instructed to advise the A319 on 2 mile final in sight. The second B737 reported the A319 in sight and I instructed the second B737 to follow the A319; 'cleared visual Runway 25L' and then also told the second B737 traffic 15 mile final. The second B737 did not turn base to final and was nearly abeam the company aircraft. I asked if I could take the first B737 to the 19's and he said that was fine. I told the second B737 to fly north for Runway 19L; as I instructed this; I noticed Final had started turning another B737 and another A319 north to the 19's to avoid the first B737. I had not had time to coordinate my intentions at this point to Final sector to avoid them changing the second B737 and second A319's route to the 19's. I observed the first B737 turn north and ask the B737 if he still had his company in sight; he reported the company insight. I told him to follow his company to the 19L and maintain visual separation. Tower had visual out the window with all aircraft at all times. I do not believe there was loss of separation or a vector below the MVA. I am fairly low in experience and during training our Tower simulator was not running yet; I have requested to have a few days working on the simulator running problems that involve unusual situations. I need to continue to improve my skills and make better decisions during times of unusual situations and will continue to strive to be better.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1008859
Time
Date	201205
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Landing
Route In Use	Visual Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Final Approach
Person 1
Function	Local
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types

Limited experienced controller described a complex traffic event that eventually resulted in a go around; the reporter indicated the need for training on unusual traffic situations.