Jim Macklin wrote:


Is it better for ATC to give the pilot what he wants or what
he needs?

Somewhere earlier in this thread someone said "ATC had to provide for
AAL's possible go-around." (perhaps that was you?)

If AAL's had a low fuel state sufficent to have declared his emergency
he did not have the option to go around. If the gear or flaps did not
come down, he was committed to land on the first try, no matter what.

If he had fuel for a go-around it was a bogus emergency.

Have you read the 1993 Avianca crash report at JFK?