Narrative:

Aircraft X was inbound to bjc and initially tagged as an ILS approach. We'd just gone VFR with some lower clouds around 800'agl sct and a much higher ceiling. I called over to approach right as aircraft X simultaneously checked on; advising the approach controller they could use 'visual approaches direct' if they wanted. They acknowledged and I then acknowledged aircraft X call. I told the aircraft he could cancel any previous restriction; cleared him to land; and provided him an update on the last base report.I believe I turned my attention to locate another inbound aircraft and check the weather; when the approach controller called back to warn me that it looked like aircraft X was turning away from the airport. I thanked him; and immediately asked aircraft X to confirm he had the airport in sight. It looked like he was still descending and he then reported that he'd lost sight of the airport. A low latitude (la) alert may have also sounded at this time. I immediately issued a climb to 8000 and went back on the line to coordinate a heading with the departure controller. I issued the assigned heading of a right turn to 120 to aircraft X and reiterated the climb to 8000. Both were read back correctly; and I shipped aircraft X back to departure so they could work him back into the airport. Aircraft X once again was tagged for an ILS approach and landed safely.I believe aircraft X may have spotted eik airport in his vicinity instead and was mistakenly setting up for an approach there. The good awareness of the approach controller was a key link in helping promptly resolve the situation safely.[recommendation] always remain vigilant for possible wrong airport descents and approaches! In areas like ours; there are 3 or 4 other small airports fairly close that can be confused for our larger airport. The weather conditions were rapidly improving; but may have been marginal in the area where the aircraft changed from the ILS to visual approach. Lighting conditions with snow on the ground made glare a big factor on this morning and may have also facilitated the flight crew mistakenly getting the wrong airport in sight. Once again; the approach controller's prompt call to us with concern about the aircraft's course was much appreciated and allowed me enough time to handle the aircraft in the safest and most intelligent manner possible.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: BJC tower controller reported an aircraft on the visual approach turned unexpectedly; possibly due to misidentifying a nearby airport.

Narrative: Aircraft X was inbound to BJC and initially tagged as an ILS approach. We'd just gone VFR with some lower clouds around 800'AGL SCT and a much higher ceiling. I called over to Approach right as Aircraft X simultaneously checked on; advising the approach controller they could use 'visual approaches direct' if they wanted. They acknowledged and I then acknowledged Aircraft X call. I told the aircraft he could cancel any previous restriction; cleared him to land; and provided him an update on the last base report.I believe I turned my attention to locate another inbound aircraft and check the weather; when the approach controller called back to warn me that it looked like Aircraft X was turning away from the airport. I thanked him; and immediately asked Aircraft X to confirm he had the airport in sight. It looked like he was still descending and he then reported that he'd lost sight of the airport. A Low Latitude (LA) alert may have also sounded at this time. I immediately issued a climb to 8000 and went back on the line to coordinate a heading with the departure controller. I issued the assigned heading of a right turn to 120 to Aircraft X and reiterated the climb to 8000. Both were read back correctly; and I shipped Aircraft X back to departure so they could work him back into the airport. Aircraft X once again was tagged for an ILS approach and landed safely.I believe Aircraft X may have spotted EIK airport in his vicinity instead and was mistakenly setting up for an approach there. The good awareness of the approach controller was a key link in helping promptly resolve the situation safely.[Recommendation] always remain vigilant for possible wrong airport descents and approaches! In areas like ours; there are 3 or 4 other small airports fairly close that can be confused for our larger airport. The weather conditions were rapidly improving; but may have been marginal in the area where the aircraft changed from the ILS to visual approach. Lighting conditions with snow on the ground made glare a big factor on this morning and may have also facilitated the flight crew mistakenly getting the wrong airport in sight. Once again; the approach controller's prompt call to us with concern about the aircraft's course was much appreciated and allowed me enough time to handle the aircraft in the safest and most intelligent manner possible.

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.