B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 8
Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory
Airport; Human Factors; Procedure
I was working ground; clearance; and Controller In Charge. I had just taxied an air carrier out to XYL. A B737 was taxiing behind the first aircraft on taxiway Foxtrot. I had passed the strip to Local control. I then overheard Local talking to the B737 about an E4 departure because they wanted to go in front of the first aircraft because they were taxiing to slow. I heard Local give the distance remaining and then cleared the B737 for takeoff On XYL at ECHO 4. In the meantime I had a couple more aircraft taxiing out to XYL on Delta to Foxtrot. I heard local again tell the B737 crew no delay because traffic was on final getting closer. After hearing this I started watching B737; they made the right turn down Taxiway Echo and passed E4 and picked up speed. I told local what I was seeing; as they were watching as well. Before the B737 could pick up any more speed or do anything else. Local control told them to stop repeatedly. They then told B737 they were on a taxiway and to turn back on Foxtrot for the full length take off. B737 crew told local they thought they were north of E4 so they were taxiing down echo to the E4 intersection.No recommendations at this time. Everything was handled and caught before anything could happen.
A B737 requested an E4 departure off XYL. I gave the B737 crew the remaining feet wind advisories and cleared them for takeoff from XYL at E4 south west made the turn but appeared to stop short of XYL. Traffic on final was now becoming a factor so I called out to B737 crew told them company traffic on final no delay. At that time I observed the B737 turn south on taxiway E and start to accelerate; I immediately told B737 to stop that he was on a taxiway. The B737 replied they were going to e5 and read the chart wrong. Taxiway E was closed south of runway 9/27 with barricades and equipment on the taxiway. It appeared that B737 would have departed from taxiway E into the closed portion.
B737 fight crew and ATC reported a B737 requested an intersection takeoff; but when the crew began to increase taxi speed; ATC perceived it as the takeoff roll and commanded the crew to stop.