Tower developmental controller released an IFR aircraft after the 'hold for release' light had been ...

Narrative:

I was the local controller (local control). The radar controller activated the 'hold for release' light. I placed the 'hold for release' visual aid in my hot box. I cleared an IFR [aircraft] for takeoff without a release. I immediately called the TRACON and requested release for the aircraft. She said; 'hold for release.' I informed her that the aircraft was already airborne and she gave me an altitude restriction to issue. No separation was lost between aircraft. I did not thoroughly scan my hot box. Had I done so; I would not have launched the aircraft without a release. [I] recommend keeping a constant and thorough scan. Even if traffic is light it is critical to have a good scan.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Tower Developmental Controller released an IFR aircraft after the 'hold for release' light had been activated by the TRACON. The reporter acknowledged a lack of 'scanning' as the causal factor.

Narrative: I was the Local Controller (LC). The RADAR Controller activated the 'hold for release' light. I placed the 'hold for release' visual aid in my hot box. I cleared an IFR [aircraft] for takeoff without a release. I immediately called the TRACON and requested release for the aircraft. She said; 'Hold for release.' I informed her that the aircraft was already airborne and she gave me an altitude restriction to issue. No separation was lost between aircraft. I did not thoroughly scan my hot box. Had I done so; I would not have launched the aircraft without a release. [I] recommend keeping a constant and thorough scan. Even if traffic is light it is critical to have a good scan.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

Attributes
ACN	974343
Time
Date	201110
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Super King Air 200
Flight Phase	Takeoff
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Local
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Developmental
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Airspace Violation All Types Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Tower developmental controller released an IFR aircraft after the 'hold for release' light had been activated by the TRACON. The reporter acknowledged a lack of 'scanning' as the causal factor.