San local controller puts an aircraft into position and forgets about it while thinking about other ...

Attributes
ACN	1225968
Time
Date	201412
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	SAN.Airport
State Reference	CA
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Large Transport
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Taxi
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Small Transport
Flight Phase	Taxi
Route In Use	None
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Local
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Experience	Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 5
Person 2
Function	Ground
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Experience	Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 3
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Conflict Ground Conflict Critical Deviation - Procedural Clearance Ground Incursion Runway

Narrative:

I had put aircraft X in position runway 27 behind aircraft Y arrival. Aircraft Y exited off the runway quickly and I gave him instructions to taxi into the ramp on my frequency since it was a very short route and ground control did not have any traffic in the area. Then my mind started thinking about how much work it is for a pilot to switch frequencies rapidly when going such a short distance etc. As my mind drifted I forgot that I had put aircraft X into position and had it in the back of my mind that the only traffic I had was still 5+ miles out.after a long moment of silence someone said 'radio check' and I replied loud and clear then scanned the runway; that's when I realized my mistake. The asde-X alerted and I sent aircraft Z around on a heading and altitude. I coordinated with TRACON while aircraft X held in position then he departed without further incident.an elms on the dangers complacency? I am not really sure. I have always prided myself with always being alert and scanning most especially when it is slow and easy to let thoughts distract you from maintaining alertness. I will certainly be more cognizant of maintaining alertness during slow traffic; and keep an eye out for it with my coworkers as well.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: SAN Local Controller puts an aircraft into position and forgets about it while thinking about other things. ASDE-X alarms and local sends aircraft on final around.

Narrative: I had put Aircraft X in position RWY 27 behind Aircraft Y arrival. Aircraft Y exited off the runway quickly and I gave him instructions to taxi into the ramp on my frequency since it was a very short route and ground control did not have any traffic in the area. Then my mind started thinking about how much work it is for a pilot to switch frequencies rapidly when going such a short distance etc. As my mind drifted I forgot that I had put Aircraft X into position and had it in the back of my mind that the only traffic I had was still 5+ miles out.After a long moment of silence someone said 'Radio check' and I replied loud and clear then scanned the runway; that's when I realized my mistake. The ASDE-X alerted and I sent Aircraft Z around on a heading and altitude. I coordinated with TRACON while Aircraft X held in position then he departed without further incident.An ELMS on the dangers complacency? I am not really sure. I have always prided myself with always being alert and scanning most especially when it is slow and easy to let thoughts distract you from maintaining alertness. I will certainly be more cognizant of maintaining alertness during slow traffic; and keep an eye out for it with my coworkers as well.

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.

San local controller puts an aircraft into position and forgets about it while thinking about other things. Asde-X alarms and local sends aircraft on final around.