Definition
An ATC instruction directing a pilot to discontinue the instrument approach being flown and to immediately fly the published missed approach procedure for that approach, or any alternate missed approach instructions issued by the controller. Climb to the missed approach altitude is initiated upon the pilot's acknowledgment of the instruction, and subsequent course guidance is followed as published or as directed.
Plain English
Stop the approach now and fly the go-around route that's already printed on the approach chart, unless the controller gives you different instructions.
Context Anchor
Heard from air traffic control or used during instrument approaches when the approach cannot safely continue to a landing.
Derivation
Execute comes from older Latin-based words meaning “to follow out” or “carry through.” That helps here because the phrase does not mean just deciding to stop the approach; it means carrying out a specific missed approach procedure.
Why Pilots Care
Provides a pre-planned, obstacle-protected escape route that keeps the aircraft safe and separated from other traffic instead of attempting a risky landing.
Intuition Check
Do not read execute as “announce” or “decide.” In this phrase, it means actually fly the missed approach procedure, including the required climb and path. If the instruction comes before the missed approach point, it does not normally mean turn away immediately; continue to the proper point unless the controller gives another path.
Example Sentence 1
Tower called, 'N123AB, execute missed approach, traffic on the runway,' so the pilot added full power and began the climb to the published missed approach altitude.
Example Sentence 2
ATC instructed the aircraft to execute the missed approach due to traffic on the runway and then issued vectors for another approach.