Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 17
Confusion; Distraction; Situational Awareness; Troubleshooting; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic
Airport; Procedure; Human Factors
Aircraft X called ready to go for touch and go. I cleared Aircraft X for takeoff with right close traffic. I did not get the ATIS and I did not identify the position I was at (LHD tower). I did not hear Aircraft X say MRI tower. I had another aircraft on frequency cleared to land on runway 32. I was trying to obtain the position of Aircraft X. I did not see them and cancelled their takeoff clearance and had them hold short. They read back 'cancelling' instead of hold short. I asked the arriving aircraft if they see the aircraft awaiting departure because I did not have them in sight. Aircraft Y stated that they did not have them in sight either. Once Aircraft Y landed Aircraft X said was he cleared to land we were cleared for takeoff (at this time I had other controllers in the tower helping me find this aircraft that no one could see. I informed Aircraft X that they were told to hold and cancel takeoff clearance. Aircraft X said sorry. I verified that the aircraft was at LHD. Aircraft X stated yes we are located at LHD. I cleared Aircraft X for takeoff runway 32 I still did not observe the aircraft. Aircraft X stated that they were departing for LHD at this time I told Aircraft X to 'say your position please.' I identified that I was LHD tower and had given her a clearance for takeoff and I did not see her and to just verify her position. At this time Aircraft X stated that she was on the wrong frequency 'I'm sorry'. I again asked Aircraft X to say position; at this time she said that she had taken off from MRI. I immediately called MRI tower and advised them that Aircraft X was on my frequency and had just taken off. They asked that I send her to MRI frequency I stated I will after I issue the brasher warning. I issued the warning but Aircraft X just said affirmative and switched frequency back to MRI. Aircraft X landed at LHD.Since LHD and MRI frequency are so alike 126.8 and 126.0 many student pilots are confusing the frequency for MRI and LHD.
Aircraft Z was in the closed traffic pattern cleared touch and go runway 25; with several other pattern and itinerant aircraft. At the approximate time Aircraft Z should have been on short final I rescanned the runway and final approach. I observed a dark blue aircraft stopped on the runway approximately 300 feet from the threshold. Aircraft Z was issued a go around over the threshold at approximately 20 feet AGL. Aircraft Z was observed swerving to the left to avoid the aircraft on the runway. The next aircraft in the pattern was sent around and the others issued control instructions away from the runway.The aircraft on the runway was identified as Aircraft X which had been taxied to the runway by ground control for pattern work. Aircraft X would not respond to numerous radio calls from Local or Ground. Another tower team member also attempted light gun signals. After some time Aircraft X departed without clearance and established communications two miles off the departure end of the runway. Aircraft X requested direct Lake Hood and was instructed to hold over West High for coordination. Aircraft X was observed on RADAR entering LHD airspace and cutting in front of traffic who had to maneuver into Merrill airspace. Aircraft X was instructed to contact LHD tower.After listening to audio recordings; it was revealed that this was a pilot deviation due to the pilot communicating with Lake Hood tower rather than Merrill Tower. Merrill controllers should continue to remain vigilant and scan runways when aircraft are on final approach.
LHD and MRI Controller's report of an aircraft at MRI airport on the ground; talking to LHD Controller's asking for takeoff clearance. LHD Controller clears aircraft for takeoff and at MRI the Controller sends an aircraft around because the aircraft was close to the runway.