Originally Posted by
prestonh
What if the pilot did/was not able to react well in either of these cases or the transmission was stepped on or did not see the aircraft, controls didn't respond, is there now a low fuel situation, etc.
We can see the situation developing by looking out the window, listening to the clearances given to other aircraft, and seeing the spacing between us and the aircraft we are following on TCAS. The go-around doesn't come as any surprise to us. We'll go-around on our own before it becomes a safety issue.
If the controls aren't responding we have bigger problems than the go-around.
If fuel is that low, we will have already declared minimum fuel, and then, emergency fuel, and ATC will provide more separation. In this departing aircraft is not 6,000' down the runway and airborne, with emergency fuel, I'm landing anyway. There is no risk of a collision.