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Cid tower controller reports a small aircraft pilot performing a touch and go on taxiway east thinking it is runway 13 which he had been cleared for. This is a new; wide taxiway with fresh; bright concrete and white splotches that look similar to touchdown zone markers.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1262692 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201505 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | CID.Airport |
| State Reference | IA |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Small Aircraft |
| Flight Phase | Final Approach |
| Route In Use | None |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Local |
| Qualification | Air Traffic Control Fully Certified |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Clearance Ground Incursion Taxiway |
Narrative:
Small aircraft on his first trip in the pattern [in] left closed traffic [for] runway (runway) 13. Aircraft appeared to be lined up on final for runway 13 with no conflicts. I turned my attention to ground control duties for a moment (marking a strip); and when I looked back up; the [aircraft] was executing a touch-and-go on the parallel taxiway (taxiway east). Once the aircraft was airborne; I inquired if he realized what had just happened. He replied 'yes; I'm sorry.' given that there was no other traffic and the situation had passed without incident; I decided not to issue a brasher warning. He continued in the pattern for a while longer before landing and returning to parking without incident.the pilot did call the tower a while later; just to apologize for the mistake. I did not take that phone call. It is my understanding that this is not the first aircraft to land on taxiway east by mistake.remove white splotches in concrete on taxiway east that look a lot like touchdown zone markers. Paint a 'taxi' sign at the northwest corner of taxiway east; abeam the runway 13 numbers. Re-paint the runway 13 markings if necessary to make the runway stand out. This is a new; wide taxiway with fresh; bright concrete. I can completely understand how a pilot could confuse it with runway 13.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: CID Tower Controller reports a small aircraft pilot performing a touch and go on Taxiway E thinking it is Runway 13 which he had been cleared for. This is a new; wide taxiway with fresh; bright concrete and white splotches that look similar to touchdown zone markers.
Narrative: Small aircraft on his first trip in the pattern [in] left closed traffic [for] Runway (RWY) 13. Aircraft appeared to be lined up on final for RWY 13 with no conflicts. I turned my attention to Ground Control duties for a moment (marking a strip); and when I looked back up; the [aircraft] was executing a touch-and-go on the parallel taxiway (Taxiway E). Once the aircraft was airborne; I inquired if he realized what had just happened. He replied 'Yes; I'm sorry.' Given that there was no other traffic and the situation had passed without incident; I decided not to issue a brasher warning. He continued in the pattern for a while longer before landing and returning to parking without incident.The pilot did call the tower a while later; just to apologize for the mistake. I did not take that phone call. It is my understanding that this is not the first aircraft to land on Taxiway E by mistake.Remove white splotches in concrete on Taxiway E that look a LOT like touchdown zone markers. Paint a 'TAXI' sign at the NW corner of Taxiway E; abeam the RWY 13 numbers. Re-paint the RWY 13 markings if necessary to make the runway stand out. This is a new; wide taxiway with fresh; bright concrete. I can completely understand how a pilot could confuse it with RWY 13.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.