APA Controller described an attempted wrong runway direction take off event.
Synopsis
APA Controller described an attempted wrong runway direction take off event.
Narrative
Ground Control (GC) placed a strip into my departure bay; a Cherokee for a Southeast departure off of Runway 10 in red; I had two aircraft inbound to Runway 28 and would have delayed the Cherokee for several minutes; so I asked the Cherokee if he could accept a 17L at A9 Intersection departure. The Cherokee read that back and I said affirmative; the Cherokee said he could accept that; so I cleared the Cherokee for a Southeast departure off of 17L at A9. My next transmission was to a Cessna full length. I said Cessna Runway 17L full length LUAW traffic departing down-field. The Cessna went into position. I visually saw the Cherokee taking the runway from A9 then looked back at 28 for the Cessna I had that was rolling out. At that time the Ground Control told me to tell the Cherokee to stop; I turned around observed the Cherokee rolling opposite direction and told him to stop. The Cherokee had apparently turned right onto 35R instead of left onto 17L. I told the Cherokee that 17L was the opposite direction and he exited the runway at A5. I told him to hold short of the runway and he read that back. Then I cleared the Cessna for take off. I have no recommendations at the time; all the strip marking was correct.
Second reporter narrative
I requested taxi clearance from Ground Control while at area Hotel for a southeast departure. I was cleared to taxi via ramp to Runway 10. I performed run-up and called Ground to report run-up completed at C1. Ground instructed me to monitor Tower. Tower asked if I could accept Runway 17L at Intersection A9. I asked the wait time for Runway 10 and was advised there were 2 incoming for Runway 28 with 1 at 3 miles from APA. I accepted taxi and clearance to takeoff at A9 on 17L.I took some time to determine if I needed a right or left turn to A9. [I] determined left turn on Taxiway Alpha to A9; inadvertently taxied onto Runway 35R. [I] immediately recognized problem and immediately cleared runway at intersection A8. At this point; Tower advised me to make 180 degree turn. Then Tower directed immediate stop. Then Tower directed me to A5 Intersection. During this entire sequence my airplane was the only airplane cleared for Runway 17L/35R.Tower cleared a Cessna at 17L (full length) for takeoff. I was then directed (lineup and wait) at Intersection A5 on Runway 17L. I received clearance and took off on Runway 17L. Tower then directed at first opportunity for discussion with Tower Supervisor. Requested and was cleared to land on Runway 28. After landing and clearing runway; I was cleared to ramp. I returned to area Hotel and called Tower Supervisor.In future [I] will be more attentive to directional instrument in airplane.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.