Narrative:

Aircraft X landed on runway 35; and exited on high-speed taxiway E3. E3 connects runway 35 to the parallel taxiway; east. Taxiway F is adjacent to taxiway east; and is used by arrivals exiting runway 35 on E3 to access the ramp. Each taxiway connecting to the ramp is designated with a spot for ramp control; and taxiway F is spot 14. Spot 14 is designated by the ramp/tower LOA as an inbound spot. As aircraft X landed; aircraft Y was holding short of runway 35 at intersection K; a standard departure point; and was instructed to luaw as aircraft X rolled past. As I was issuing exiting instructions to aircraft X; I observed a crj taxiing out from the ramp on taxiway F to taxiway east. I instructed aircraft X to turn left on E3; give way to the crj; and taxi via F to spot 14. As I issued this instruction; a second crj began to taxi on taxiway F for taxiway east. I visually observed aircraft X exit the runway; and the aircraft appeared to be clear of the runway. I then issued a takeoff clearance to aircraft Y. I looked again at aircraft X; noticed that he was still waiting for the second crj; but that he did appear to be clear of the runway. As aircraft Y passed behind aircraft X; aircraft X reported that he was not clear of the runway. The asde-X did not alarm. I passed this information to the tower supervisor; aircraft X had not moved yet; and the ground controller and crossing coordinator concurred that the aircraft did appear to be clear. The departing aircraft offered no comment. A short time later; the pilot of aircraft X called the OM. It is not uncommon for the ramp controllers to taxi departing aircraft out through arrival spots. This should probably stop; especially at high-speed taxiways. Also; this is not the first time I have seen pilots exit or cross a runway; stop; and then later claim that they were not clear of the runway. If a pilot is crossing or exiting; comes to a complete stop and thinks they are not clear of the runway; they need to say something immediately. I observed aircraft X exit the runway and stop; he appeared to be clear. But a question mark now hangs over the operation because the pilot reported that he was not clear as a departure flew behind him.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A flight crew and two controllers describe a takeoff with the preceding landing aircraft not entirely clear of the runway.

Narrative: Aircraft X landed on Runway 35; and exited on high-speed Taxiway E3. E3 connects Runway 35 to the parallel Taxiway; E. Taxiway F is adjacent to Taxiway E; and is used by arrivals exiting Runway 35 on E3 to access the ramp. Each taxiway connecting to the ramp is designated with a spot for Ramp Control; and Taxiway F is spot 14. Spot 14 is designated by the Ramp/Tower LOA as an inbound spot. As Aircraft X landed; Aircraft Y was holding short of Runway 35 at Intersection K; a standard departure point; and was instructed to LUAW as Aircraft X rolled past. As I was issuing exiting instructions to Aircraft X; I observed a CRJ taxiing out from the ramp on Taxiway F to Taxiway E. I instructed Aircraft X to turn left on E3; give way to the CRJ; and taxi via F to spot 14. As I issued this instruction; a second CRJ began to taxi on Taxiway F for Taxiway E. I visually observed Aircraft X exit the runway; and the aircraft appeared to be clear of the runway. I then issued a takeoff clearance to Aircraft Y. I looked again at Aircraft X; noticed that he was still waiting for the second CRJ; but that he did appear to be clear of the runway. As Aircraft Y passed behind Aircraft X; Aircraft X reported that he was not clear of the runway. The ASDE-X did not alarm. I passed this information to the Tower Supervisor; Aircraft X had not moved yet; and the Ground Controller and Crossing Coordinator concurred that the aircraft did appear to be clear. The departing aircraft offered no comment. A short time later; the pilot of Aircraft X called the OM. It is not uncommon for the ramp controllers to taxi departing aircraft out through arrival spots. This should probably stop; especially at high-speed taxiways. Also; this is not the first time I have seen pilots exit or cross a runway; stop; and then later claim that they were not clear of the runway. If a pilot is crossing or exiting; comes to a complete stop and thinks they are not clear of the runway; they need to say something immediately. I observed Aircraft X exit the runway and stop; he appeared to be clear. But a question mark now hangs over the operation because the pilot reported that he was not clear as a departure flew behind him.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.