Medium Transport
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 8
Workload; Situational Awareness; Distraction; Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Time Pressure
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Human Factors; Procedure
Departure clearance given to Aircraft Y with expectation of Aircraft X exiting.[Recommendation is to] withhold departure clearance until exiting complete.
We were cleared [to] hold in between a small business jet that had just landed on Runway 22L and an aircraft on three-mile final; Tower told us to be ready. As Aircraft X finished clearing the runway; we were cleared for takeoff.As we began our takeoff roll; Tower was continuing to communicate taxi instructions with the preceding Aircraft X. At approximately 100-105 knots; Tower canceled our takeoff clearance. At that speed; about 10 knots short of V1; I decided that continuing our takeoff would be the safest course of action.The preceding business jet had cleared the runway; but had maybe not completely cleared the hold short line and it was difficult to determine. It was obvious the aircraft was not in our flight path. We told Tower unable and continued the takeoff and subsequent leg uneventfully.This is a very busy environment and I believe Aircraft X was confused about the taxi instructions and just exited the runway but didn't roll far enough for his tail to clear the hold short line; or at least that's what Tower believed. Neither Tower nor us anticipated this and Tower's decision to cancel our clearance was made too late.
MDW Controller and four involved pilots reported of a runway incursion. Landing aircraft attempted to follow Tower's direction; but Tower changed instructions causing confusion in the cockpit. Departing aircraft was told to cancel takeoff clearance; but was close to V1 and continued.