Forgetful controller needs to get his head in the game

This is an excerpt from a report made to the Aviation Safety Reporting System. The narrative is written by the pilot, rather than FAA or NTSB officials. To maintain anonymity, many details, such as aircraft model or airport, are often scrubbed from the reports.

On an IFR flight and now in VMC in a Cirrus SR22, I was cleared to land Number 1.

Turning final the Tower cleared a Cessna 152 for takeoff. I was at ~300 feet AGL and about 20 seconds from landing when the 152 was instructed to takeoff no delay.

I immediately leveled and told Tower I was on short final and now going to go around. Tower asked the 152 if he had crossed the line and tried to cancel the clearance. 152 had entered the runway.

I again reported I was going around and was told to stay north of the runway.

I turned right to the north and was next told to enter left traffic (which meant crossing the path of the climbing 152). I declined and said I was turning.

Tower asked if I wanted to talk with ZZZ for another approach or cancel IFR and join the pattern. I said I wanted to land as ZZZ was my final destination. I was told to enter a right base Runway XX and cleared to land Number 1.

While taxiing I heard the Tower say to another plane “Aircraft Z — I forget — did I clear you to land?”

I hope the Tower Controller took a break to get his head in the game.

This could have been unfortunate. ZZZ is often a busy training airport. This morning it was relatively quiet with only two planes besides me in the area.

Primary Problem: Procedure

ACN: 2140212

When you click on the link it will take you to the ASRS Online Database. Click on Start Search, then Report Number and put the ACN in the search box, then click Search. On that page, click on “view only the 1 most recent report.”