Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Flight Crew Commercial
Other / Unknown; Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff
Human Factors
Tower issued the clearance 'LINE UP AND WAIT Runway 5' Hawker jet traffic landing 32.' The Captain called for the takeoff checklist which we completed as we were rolling into position. After lining up on the runway the thrust levers were advanced and we began our takeoff roll. Very shortly after we began rolling and just as I saw the Runway 32 landing traffic ATC called and said; 'CANCEL TAKEOFF CLEARANCE.' I knew immediately we had messed up because I remember ATC telling us there was landing traffic Runway 32 after his Line up and Wait command. We immediately aborted the takeoff; kept the aircraft below 80 KTS and came to a stop on Runway 5. We then taxied off the runway; made appropriate announcements; contacted Dispatch for a release revalidation; and then continued to destination without further incident. This event shook me up. As we were stopped the landing traffic crossed down field in front of us. It was truly a sobering event that could have ended much worse. I think often when flying the line we fear FAR's more than loss of life. I know I can fall into the trap of worry whether or not I'm legal rather than whether or not I am safe. This incident has renewed my awareness of how quickly this job can turn catastrophic. This incident involved complacency; perhaps a bit of 'get home fever;' and other serious distractions in my personal life that are currently consuming my mind. I have been paired with the same Captain for the last 4 trips including 2 days of recurrent. There is a certain comfort level that can develop in working that much with the same person; unfortunately that comfort level can be negative as well leading to the degradation of the professional environment. This flight was the last leg of the trip and we were both ready to be off for a few days. I honestly can't say why she decided to start a takeoff roll without clearance; or why I wasn't immediately aware of our deviation. This has made me realize how a momentary lapse of memory or a short loss of focus can lead to dangerous situations. I plan to internally process this event as a wake up call. Because of the alertness of the Tower a potentially serious event was avoided; but I need to take it upon myself to break down the walls of complacency and make sure that my mind is focused on the task at hand rather than on other life situations.
We received what I believed at the time to be a take off clearance. We took the runway; ran the checklist and began the takeoff roll. At around 40-50 KTS ATC said; 'Cancel your takeoff clearance.' We aborted the takeoff and came to a full stop. ATC asked us to continue down the runway and exit at Taxiway F and taxi back to Runway 5. During all of this we realized; in hindsight; that we had not been cleared for takeoff; but instead were cleared to 'line up and wait' on Runway 5. There was traffic utilizing Runway 23 at the time; and in hindsight we feel that we may have been in an unsafe situation in proximity with this traffic. We contacted Dispatch; got revalidated and explained the situation. We then continued with our flight.This is absolutely human error. I heard what I 'expected' to hear instead of what was actually spoken. When the First Officer received the takeoff clearance I could not see the end of Runway 23; or the traffic on it; due to terrain and I was expecting to hear and see no traffic. I expected to hear 'clear for takeoff'; I was tired and ready to finish this trip and so I heard 'clear for takeoff.' Also; it was our last leg of our fourth day of many weeks paired together as a crew. At this point; we had grown comfortable; familiar and; sadly; complacent with each other. The best way to prevent this dangerous situation from recurring is simply to verify clearances with each other and with ATC. It is absolutely imperative to make sure that I understand what ATC is not saying; and not just what I expect them to be saying. Also; I need to ensure that all ATC clearances are echoed to the flying pilot. If we had confirmed the clearance with each other; as a crew; prior to initiating the takeoff roll; it is much more likely that I would have heard the clearance as it was issued; instead of what I expected. Also; I need to diligently and actively fight the 'get-there-itis' I inevitably feel on the last day of the last leg of a long trip. I know that it exists; and I need to be more active at taking my time and not feeling rushed or exhausted at the end of a trip. Every leg needs to be planned and executed the same as every other leg. The last leg of the last day of the last trip together as a crew is just as important as the first leg. Verifying and repeating a clearance within the crew and with ATC more than once is much better than misunderstanding a clearance and making a huge mistake like this.
CRJ200 flight crew reports being cleared to line up and wait for traffic landing on an intersecting runway. The First Officer reads back the clearance then reads the takeoff checklist at the Captain's request and the Captain begins the takeoff roll. The Tower notes the takeoff commencing and calls for the reject as the landing traffic rolls through the intersection.