Narrative:

I was working lcc [local control center] position. We were departing runways 36R and 27. We were landing runways 36R/C. Aircraft X had been cleared to land on runway 36R approximately at a 10 mile final. I believe 3 aircraft were taxied to depart runway 36R and 2 for runway 27. A question arose in the tower as to our responsibility as to how to coordinate like fixes departing into different departure sectors; as this was the situation I had in front of me at the 2 departure runways. I allowed myself to enter the conversation. My mind got side tracked and fixated on my departure bay. As best as I can tell; this is where I lost sight of the picture and cleared a GA aircraft off runway 27 and aircraft Y for takeoff on runway 36R. I had lost track of the fact that I had an aircraft cleared to land on 36R. The asde/amass alarmed as aircraft X was on half mile final and aircraft Y was starting departure roll. I immediately sent aircraft X around 36R and climbed to 4;000 feet; turned right to 090 heading. I could not visually see aircraft Y to determine his speed so I did not abort his takeoff clearance. I need to stay out of conversations when working traffic. Particularly when we are in bad weather/low visibility situations. My focus on the situation was compromised by a work relevant question; but I should not engage in the conversation in that situation. My scan broke down.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: CVG Tower Controller and arrival aircraft flight crew reported a go-around due to arrival departure spacing.

Narrative: I was working LCC [Local Control Center] position. We were departing Runways 36R and 27. We were landing Runways 36R/C. Aircraft X had been cleared to land on Runway 36R approximately at a 10 mile final. I believe 3 aircraft were taxied to depart Runway 36R and 2 for Runway 27. A question arose in the Tower as to our responsibility as to how to coordinate like fixes departing into different departure sectors; as this was the situation I had in front of me at the 2 departure runways. I allowed myself to enter the conversation. My mind got side tracked and fixated on my departure bay. As best as I can tell; this is where I lost sight of the picture and cleared a GA aircraft off Runway 27 and Aircraft Y for takeoff on Runway 36R. I had lost track of the fact that I had an aircraft cleared to land on 36R. The ASDE/AMASS alarmed as Aircraft X was on half mile final and Aircraft Y was starting departure roll. I immediately sent Aircraft X around 36R and climbed to 4;000 feet; turned right to 090 heading. I could not visually see Aircraft Y to determine his speed so I did not abort his takeoff clearance. I need to stay out of conversations when working traffic. Particularly when we are in bad weather/low visibility situations. My focus on the situation was compromised by a work relevant question; but I should not engage in the conversation in that situation. My scan broke down.

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.