Large Transport
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 3
Distraction; Confusion; Situational Awareness; Workload
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Human Factors; Procedure
Due to traffic volume from diverts from the Houston area to MSY I requested; and got control of Runway 20 indefinitely from Local. I did this so I could have one flow for traffic exiting and taxiing out to Runway 11. This also gave me more surface area to park aircraft on the movement areas while they were waiting out their delays or for their gate. I had Aircraft X taxi south on Runway 20 from Uniform to exit at Echo because their gate just opened up. I failed to advise Local Control that I would be having an aircraft taxiing south on Runway 20 that would be crossing the extended departure path of Runway 11. Local cleared an aircraft for takeoff on Runway 11 and the departure overflew the taxiing aircraft by approximately 1;000 feet. This safety event occurred because of position overload due to complexity and traffic saturation.In order to prevent a reoccurrence of this event more attention needs to be given by supervision to properly manage positions and personnel. I was working Ground Control combined with Controller in Charge (CIC) and had a newly certified developmental working CD who was trying his best to help me out. The position overload didn't happen instantaneously; but instead built up over several hours with numerous indicators of what was to come. Volume and complexity warranted a Front Line Manager (FLM) in the tower and Ground Control Assist staffed.
MSY Ground Controller reported of having a separation issue with a taxing aircraft and a departing aircraft. Taxing aircraft was on a runway owned by Ground Control; but the aircraft crossed the extended departure path of a crossing runway. Controller stated the safety event occurred due to a position overload and to complexity and traffic saturation.