An Air Carrier Crew departed LIT Runway 4R at Intersection Y believing that was the Runway's takeoff position point.
Synopsis
An Air Carrier Crew departed LIT Runway 4R at Intersection Y believing that was the Runway's takeoff position point.
Narrative
Taxiing to Runway 4R we were given a takeoff clearance passing S which is several hundred feet prior to the next intersection Y. At first we thought it was strange to receive a takeoff clearance so early. We both looked at the runway at 4R-Y and noticed the threshold markings. We commented that this looks like the end of the runway. The taxiway continued; but it took a jog to the right and sloped downward quite a bit; again leading us to believe that the intersection and the threshold we were looking at was the takeoff point. As we entered the runway I looked to the right and noticed that the runway did go farther back but it sloped downward. We discussed that we thought this was the takeoff power point of the runway and the part of the runway farther back appeared to be unusable and proceeded to takeoff. Once airborne after further discussion we realized that we had taken off from an intersection and not the end of the runway. We referenced the performance data and saw that we 2500 ft of stopping margin from the intersection of departure. The thing that was most misleading in this event was the point at which we received the takeoff clearance. In hindsight a quick call to the Tower to confirm the departure point was something that should have been done.
Second reporter narrative
Taxiing to 4R at LIT we were given clearance to take off approaching S on R. The next intersection was the threshold at Y and at glancing at my 10-9 the rest of the runway was not solid; so it seemed the appropriate departure point. As we departed we saw the arrows indicating a displaced threshold. On checking the performance data it was apparent that we had taken off at an intersection; which still had plenty of stopping margin. On review this may not have been the correct takeoff clearance.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.