Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 2
Distraction; Situational Awareness; Workload
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical
Human Factors
Local control cleared Aircraft X for takeoff. Aircraft X began his departure roll on the runway with no observed anomalies. Aircraft Y was sequenced and cleared to land while in the right downwind. As Aircraft Y was on landing rollout; the pilot announced that there was another aircraft on the runway. Aircraft X was at a complete stop at the very end of the runway. Aircraft Y exited the runway. Aircraft X was able to taxi off the runway and taxi back for another takeoff. When Local control asked Aircraft X what happened; the instructor said the student pilot 'inadvertently reduced power' during takeoff. As Controller in Charge (CIC) I was busy with talking to Tech Ops on the phone regarding an issue on our ACE-IDS computer. I was not actively scanning outside the window at the time this occurred; but I was listening to the frequency in the background and became aware as soon as Aircraft Y said there was an aicraft on the runway.As CIC; it's impossible to directly monitor everything going on in the tower cab. I do my best to listen to the frequency and watch the radar when traffic level becomes moderate. In addition; I was on the phone and giving Tech Ops information from the issue on the ACE-IDS. I would recommend that Local control scan the runway every time they clear someone for takeoff and when traffic is on final; to ensure the runway is clear. I regret not being able to stop this incident from happening.
Tower Controller in Charge reported the Local controller did not notice a departing aircraft had aborted their takeoff and allowed an arriving aircraft to land.