Narrative:

Radar approach control approved opposite direction for a departing crj. After the necessary separation was applied between the departing crj and aircraft X; radar turned aircraft X onto the visual approach for runway 34 and switched aircraft X to the tower. At this time; aircraft X was higher than normal on the visual approach. Aircraft X checks on the tower frequency and says he is a bit high and needs to lose some altitude. The local controller says; 'roger;' and clears aircraft X to land on runway 34. Radar then switches aircraft Y to the tower frequency on a visual approach for runway 34. The local controller makes visual contact of both aircraft out the window and clears aircraft Y to land #2 behind aircraft X. Aircraft Y was approximately 5 miles behind aircraft X. Radar calls local and asks what aircraft X is doing and local said aircraft X said he needed to lose some altitude. Radar tells local; 'you're separating them.' the local controller then checks aircraft Y's speed and asks aircraft Y to reduce to final approach speed. The local controller also calls the traffic to aircraft Y and asks aircraft Y to report the traffic in sight. Aircraft Y reports the traffic not in sight. The local controller then asks aircraft X if he can proceed straight in at present altitude and the pilot responds in the affirmative. Aircraft Y continues to close the gap with aircraft X and the local controller is unsure if the necessary runway separation will exist between the two aircraft and asks aircraft Y again if he has the traffic in sight; thinking if the pilot of aircraft Y can see aircraft X; the pilot may of aircraft Y may be able to keep his own visual separation; potentially providing the required runway separation. The local controller realizes the required runway separation will not be met and tells aircraft Y to turn right heading 070 and to climb and maintain 5000 at the request of the tower controller in charge. Local then calls radar and asks if he would like aircraft Y back for re-sequence due to the fact that visual separation could not be established for the necessary runway separation; neither visual separation applied by the local controller nor pilot applied visual separation would have worked. Radar declines taking back aircraft Y for resequence; so the local controller gives aircraft Y a continuing right turn to a 360 degree turn to rejoin the final for runway 34.1. When an aircraft says that he or she needs to lose altitude; ask how the pilot plans do this or approve some form of maneuver to do so; such as s-turns.2. Ask a pilot on a visual approach that is cleared 'number two' to make a 360 turn to rejoin final sooner so as to be certain of the runway separation.3. Communicate more effectively and with greater detail between local and radar approach control so that each person is aware of what the pilots are doing; especially when running a sequence.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ROA Tower and TRACON controllers report of an opposite direction arrival with two aircraft. The first aircraft does S turns on final due to loss of altitude and the second aircraft catches the first due to its speed and not turning. The second aircraft is sent around.

Narrative: Radar Approach Control approved opposite direction for a departing CRJ. After the necessary separation was applied between the departing CRJ and Aircraft X; Radar turned Aircraft X onto the visual approach for Runway 34 and switched Aircraft X to the Tower. At this time; Aircraft X was higher than normal on the Visual Approach. Aircraft X checks on the Tower frequency and says he is a bit high and needs to lose some altitude. The Local controller says; 'Roger;' and clears Aircraft X to land on Runway 34. Radar then switches Aircraft Y to the Tower frequency on a visual approach for Runway 34. The Local controller makes visual contact of both aircraft out the window and clears Aircraft Y to land #2 behind Aircraft X. Aircraft Y was approximately 5 miles behind Aircraft X. Radar calls Local and asks what Aircraft X is doing and Local said Aircraft X said he needed to lose some altitude. Radar tells Local; 'You're separating them.' The local controller then checks Aircraft Y's speed and asks Aircraft Y to reduce to final approach speed. The Local controller also calls the traffic to Aircraft Y and asks Aircraft Y to report the traffic in sight. Aircraft Y reports the traffic not in sight. The Local controller then asks Aircraft X if he can proceed straight in at present altitude and the pilot responds in the affirmative. Aircraft Y continues to close the gap with Aircraft X and the Local controller is unsure if the necessary runway separation will exist between the two aircraft and asks Aircraft Y again if he has the traffic in sight; thinking if the pilot of Aircraft Y can see Aircraft X; the pilot may of Aircraft Y may be able to keep his own visual separation; potentially providing the required runway separation. The Local controller realizes the required runway separation will not be met and tells Aircraft Y to turn right heading 070 and to climb and maintain 5000 at the request of the Tower CIC. Local then calls Radar and asks if he would like Aircraft Y back for re-sequence due to the fact that visual separation could not be established for the necessary runway separation; neither visual separation applied by the Local controller nor pilot applied visual separation would have worked. Radar declines taking back Aircraft Y for resequence; so the Local controller gives Aircraft Y a continuing right turn to a 360 degree turn to rejoin the final for Runway 34.1. When an aircraft says that he or she needs to lose altitude; ask how the pilot plans do this or approve some form of maneuver to do so; such as s-turns.2. Ask a pilot on a Visual Approach that is cleared 'number two' to make a 360 turn to rejoin final sooner so as to be certain of the runway separation.3. Communicate more effectively and with greater detail between Local and Radar approach control so that each person is aware of what the pilots are doing; especially when running a sequence.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.