Narrative:

I was providing training on the local center position. The trainee put an A320 into position and informed them of the traffic on final (a CRJ2). When the runway was clear from the previous arrival; the trainee cleared the A320 for takeoff. The A320 started takeoff roll and the trainee began to issue an IFR release to the local east controller. I instructed the trainee to not give the release; but to prepare to use the next arrival hole for his own IFR aircraft that had been waiting longer. From what I observed; the A320 was rolling a bit slowly; but still appeared to be departing; I couldn't see the arrival on about a one mile final because a radar scope; the asde screen and two people were in the way. From the stars display; things still appeared normal. The A320 said they were aborting; and as I stooped down to see the CRJ2 out the window; the trainee keyed his microphone and told the A320 to exit the runway at H6. I expected the trainee to send the CRJ2 around; and couldn't override his instructions until it was too late. The A320 was already reading back the instructions and it would do no good to transmit over the reply. I observed the CRJ2 already climbing about 1/2 mile from the runway and it was obvious he was going around. I also thought the A320 had a chance to exit the runway before the CRJ2 crossed the threshold. I issued go-around instructions as soon as the frequency was available; but I am not sure if it was before the CRJ2 was over the runway. Again; I saw the arrival climbing and could tell that the aircraft was not going to attempt to land. Recommendation; move some of the equipment hanging from the ceiling that blocks the view of final for local center.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: SLC Controller described a pilot initiated go around event after a departure aborted; the reporter listing tower equipment as obstructing the view of the aircraft on final and a late reaction to the developing event.

Narrative: I was providing training on the Local Center position. The trainee put an A320 into position and informed them of the traffic on final (a CRJ2). When the runway was clear from the previous arrival; the trainee cleared the A320 for takeoff. The A320 started takeoff roll and the trainee began to issue an IFR release to the Local East Controller. I instructed the trainee to not give the release; but to prepare to use the next arrival hole for his own IFR aircraft that had been waiting longer. From what I observed; the A320 was rolling a bit slowly; but still appeared to be departing; I couldn't see the arrival on about a one mile final because a RADAR scope; the ASDE screen and two people were in the way. From the STARS display; things still appeared normal. The A320 said they were aborting; and as I stooped down to see the CRJ2 out the window; the trainee keyed his microphone and told the A320 to exit the runway at H6. I expected the trainee to send the CRJ2 around; and couldn't override his instructions until it was too late. The A320 was already reading back the instructions and it would do no good to transmit over the reply. I observed the CRJ2 already climbing about 1/2 mile from the runway and it was obvious he was going around. I also thought the A320 had a chance to exit the runway before the CRJ2 crossed the threshold. I issued go-around instructions as soon as the frequency was available; but I am not sure if it was before the CRJ2 was over the runway. Again; I saw the arrival climbing and could tell that the aircraft was not going to attempt to land. Recommendation; move some of the equipment hanging from the ceiling that blocks the view of final for Local Center.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.