ORM When Risk Isn't Known

On a spring afternoon, a Citation November 510 Delta Whiskey was taxiing towards Runway 13 Right at San Antonio International Airport. Southwest 2144, a Boeing 737, is told another aircraft, Citation November 510 Delta Whiskey, is about to enter the runway that 2144 will be landing on. San Antonio Tower, Southwest 2144, Runway 13 Right. Southwest 2144, San Antonio Tower, Runway 13 Right, continue. Traffic will be holding a position prior to your arrival. The 737 is told to slow down, but the crew confirms they are already at minimum approach speed. Station 0, Delta Whiskey, runway 13 right, line up and wait, be ready to go, 737, 4 mile final. Line up and wait, 13 right, we'll be ready, 510 Delta Whiskey. Citation 510 Delta Whiskey is instructed to line up and prepare for departure. The tower reminds them Southwest 2144 is just four miles out. Station zero Delta Whiskey fly runway heading runway one three right clear for takeoff. November zero Delta Whiskey fly runway heading runway one three right clear for takeoff. The tower clears the citation for takeoff twice, but something is wrong. Controller checks the frequency. Test one two three. Their transmissions aren't getting through. Southwest 2144 is now just two miles from landing. November zero Delta Whiskey fly runway heading runway one three right clear for takeoff. But no one can hear the tower. The 737 is less than a mile away. Southwest asks for landing clearance. Unaware Citation 510. Delta Whiskey is still on the runway. A second controller jumps on the emergency guard frequency, while the first continues to reach out to Southwest 2144 on the main frequency. You can see. Southwest 2144, go around runway 13 right. Southwest 2144, San Antonio Tower on guard, go around, check on the runway. The go-around finally reaches Southwest 2144. The Boeing 737 begins to climb, less than a quarter mile from the runway. Southwest 20 Oh, got it, guys. 7-2-1-4-4 is going around. Anyone on San Antonio Tower, this is San Antonio Tower. Southwest 2144 is now just two miles from landing November zero Delta Whiskey runway one heading runway one three right clear for takeoff Southwest 2144 Charles can you hear me? Central aircraft on San Antonio Tower having frequency issues, this is San Antonio Tower on guard, standby. Southwest 2144, with 180 passengers and crew, overflew Citation 510 Delta Whiskey, carrying six people by just 291 feet. The entire incident lasted less than two minutes. In this example, the planned activity and its associated risks were not communicated in advance. As a result, when the disruption occurred, air traffic had no indication that their radios were affected and no reason to begin troubleshooting. With clear, proactive communication about the activity and its risks, they could have anticipated the possibility of a disruption, identified the source right away, and transitioned to a backup radio with minimal delay. Key takeaways. Any activity can lead to unforeseen outcomes. By identifying risks and communicating them effectively, air traffic can prepare for potential service interruptions, utilize operational risk management, or ORM, and clear communication to safeguard the national airspace system.