Narrative:

Aircraft X was inbound from the east assigned 36R by local control (local control.) a flight of 4 was inbound for the overhead maneuver 36L. The controller working local control called the flight traffic out to aircraft X; but misidentified their landing runway as 18L. Being controller in charge (controller in charge) as well as ground control (ground control); I pointed out the mistake. Local control keyed up and said 'correction; that's 36L.' I knew this was ambiguous and watched final in case aircraft X misunderstood and lined up for the wrong runway. When the last flight aircraft joined final for 36L out of the overhead; I thought it might be aircraft X because he was still distant and also a low wing aircraft. When I asked local control if it was aircraft X lined up for the wrong runway; he replied that it was not. I then turned my attention to briefing the next controller for ground control and controller in charge. A bit later; I found out that during the briefing aircraft X did in fact line up for the wrong runway after the flight landed; and had initiated a go around because local control had placed another aircraft on the runway in front of him.despite knowing the situation required extra attention; I trusted that local control would watch and handle it after I brought attention to the possibility. I could have delayed the briefing and monitored the situation through its end. However; as a tower team member responsible for several other areas of the operation; I also feel there are limits to the amount attention that can or should be given to other positions. I did have a conversation with that controller afterward and pointed out where the ambiguity came from.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: NEW Tower Controller reported that due to transmission ambiguity an aircraft lined up for the incorrect runway; causing a potential runway incursion; and go-around.

Narrative: Aircraft X was inbound from the east assigned 36R by LC (Local Control.) A flight of 4 was inbound for the overhead maneuver 36L. The controller working LC called the flight traffic out to Aircraft X; but misidentified their landing runway as 18L. Being CIC (Controller In Charge) as well as GC (Ground Control); I pointed out the mistake. LC keyed up and said 'Correction; that's 36L.' I knew this was ambiguous and watched final in case Aircraft X misunderstood and lined up for the wrong runway. When the last flight aircraft joined final for 36L out of the overhead; I thought it might be Aircraft X because he was still distant and also a low wing aircraft. When I asked LC if it was Aircraft X lined up for the wrong runway; he replied that it was not. I then turned my attention to briefing the next controller for GC and CIC. A bit later; I found out that during the briefing Aircraft X did in fact line up for the wrong runway after the flight landed; and had initiated a go around because LC had placed another aircraft on the runway in front of him.Despite knowing the situation required extra attention; I trusted that LC would watch and handle it after I brought attention to the possibility. I could have delayed the briefing and monitored the situation through its end. However; as a tower team member responsible for several other areas of the operation; I also feel there are limits to the amount attention that can or should be given to other positions. I did have a conversation with that controller afterward and pointed out where the ambiguity came from.

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.