Narrative:

Aircraft X was executing the ILS runway 15R visual to runway 4L procedure. This requires aircraft to circle visually along the harbor; make a tight left base and land on runway 4L (which has no approach lights; no centerline lights at the moment; and has a parallel taxiway on each side in addition to runway 4R which is also alongside). During the day; this is a difficult procedure and pilots who are unfamiliar often end up in places they should not be. At night; this procedure seems to become even more difficult; mostly because of the congested; confusing; and non-standard layout of logan airport. As aircraft X was on a 1/4 mile left base; I overheard the local control west controller advise the pilot that their landing lights were not on. At this point; most of the other team members in the tower shifted their attention to aircraft X as they made a tight left turn direct the numbers. It appeared to all of us that the turn seemed steeper and lower than normal. When aircraft X came out of the turn and lined up for the runway; the aircraft appeared closer to the tower than it should be. It was dark and hard to see clearly; so everyone glanced at the asde-X for confirmation; and sure enough; aircraft X had lined up for taxiway B. As everyone hollered; the lcw controller was already issuing an immediate go around instruction to aircraft X which; in their go around maneuver; flew directly over aircraft Y (an air carrier holding short of runway 4L at the intersection of taxiway B and taxiway east) missing it by about 20 feet. Maybe this 15R visual 4L procedure isn't the safest operation at night; especially for high performing aircraft. [Small twin engine aircraft] seem to be able to accomplish the procedure with much more ease (mostly because of familiarity with the airport).

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: BOS Tower Controller and 2 pilots reported of a situation where the pilot flying lost sight of the runway and went around. Both the Controller and pilots reported that the ILS Runway 15R transition to the visual Runway 4L is not a good procedure. The pilots stated they will not fly this approach again.

Narrative: Aircraft X was executing the ILS Runway 15R visual to Runway 4L procedure. This requires aircraft to circle visually along the harbor; make a tight left base and land on Runway 4L (which has no approach lights; no centerline lights at the moment; and has a parallel taxiway on each side in addition to Runway 4R which is also alongside). During the day; this is a difficult procedure and pilots who are unfamiliar often end up in places they should not be. At night; this procedure seems to become even more difficult; mostly because of the congested; confusing; and non-standard layout of Logan Airport. As Aircraft X was on a 1/4 mile left base; I overheard the Local Control West controller advise the pilot that their landing lights were not on. At this point; most of the other team members in the tower shifted their attention to Aircraft X as they made a tight left turn direct the numbers. It appeared to all of us that the turn seemed steeper and lower than normal. When Aircraft X came out of the turn and lined up for the runway; the aircraft appeared closer to the tower than it should be. It was dark and hard to see clearly; so everyone glanced at the ASDE-X for confirmation; and sure enough; Aircraft X had lined up for taxiway B. As everyone hollered; the LCW controller was already issuing an immediate go around instruction to Aircraft X which; in their go around maneuver; flew directly over Aircraft Y (an air carrier holding short of Runway 4L at the intersection of taxiway B and taxiway E) missing it by about 20 feet. Maybe this 15R visual 4L procedure isn't the safest operation at night; especially for high performing aircraft. [Small twin engine aircraft] seem to be able to accomplish the procedure with much more ease (mostly because of familiarity with the airport).

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.