Do pilots need a clearance to go around? I have read about the missed-SFO-accident and watched the 2:22 movie. I want to ask about going-around (or canceling takeoff) when the pilot is fully aware of an emergency that the tower is not (or is late at acting).

According to the reconstruction of the real missed-accident done by the news:


Air Canada pilot was on final cleared to land, but instead heading to taxiway for reason that will be explained after FAA &amp; TSB investigations
Tower did not notice and did not complain, clearance was still ok
Pilot double-checked with tower because he saw lights on the ground
Tower double-confirmed clear to land
Other pilot on queue said "where is this guy going?"
Tower requested go around
Air Canada flight crew initiated go around.


The order of the last two events is currently not clear and subject to investigation.

In the movie both ingoing and outgoing pilots are scared by the sight of each other but ATC Dylan doesn't command action until the last moment, while clearance to land and take off is still granted for both.

It is clear that in the movie ATC has failed and pilot(s) are aware of a real danger that affects the safety of flight operation.

Like a driver sighting an animal on the road and braking (or worse moosing) without calling the police first. I am no pilot, I understand that flight is definitely different from driving. And I also enjoyed my time on MSFS virtual flight school. I said the above because I know it could be disappointing for experienced pilots.

I want to ask for my culture/curiosity: when a pilot is cleared to takeoff/land but sees a legitimate reason to cancel the maneuver (e.g. stop/go around), can he simply advise the tower that he is doing that or must continue as earlier instructed? AFAIK when an indicator indicates failiure at &lt; 80kt speed the pilot can immediately cancel takeoff, otherwise is required to continue.

My idea is that the Air Canada pilot could have told the tower something like "we are now fully thrusting and going around because I am not sure about the safety of this landing, please give me further instructions for looping" by his initiative.

This is allowed in the MSFS simulation (you can open virtual ATC radio and announce missed approach even a few feet above ground, they will tell you how to loop over the circuit asap). Is it allowed in reality, or do pilots need a clearance to go around?
No, and this applies to any pilot, not just an airliner pilot. After the pilot has been cleared to land (or even if you're landing at your own discretion at an untowered airport), he can decide to go around instead of landing if he's dissatisfied with the approach for any reason.

The pilot might need to abort the landing for reasons the tower can't possibly know about, such as a gear unsafe indication, failing to achieve a stabilised approach, not making visual contact with the runway, or some distraction within the cockpit. And even in the case of a reason the tower should be able to tell - such as another aircraft infringing the runway, lining up on the wrong runway by accident, or birds on short final - the pilot must still go around if he thinks it's not safe to land, without waiting to be told.

The same applies to taking off. Even after being cleared to take off, the pilot must not take off if he thinks it is not safe to do so, even if it's for a reason the tower should know about, such as a runway obstruction or a take-off clearance on a crossing runway.