Tower controller described an unauthorized runway crossing event that resulted in a go around; the r...

Narrative:

A cessna (call sign XXX) was in position on runway xxl; waiting for traffic to depart runway yyl. Air carrier Y; [B737]; was on short final to runway xxr. The cessna was holding short of runway xxr waiting for their turn to depart. When a similar call sign (xxy) was cleared for takeoff on runway xxl; the cessna (who was holding short of runway xxr) incorrectly thought that the instruction was for him. The cessna proceeded to cross runway xxr on his way to runway xxl; with a B737 now on very short final for runway xxr. The B737 was issued a go-around due to traffic on the runway. I worked to separate the B737 from traffic departing runway xxl as well as the traffic that had just departed runway yyl. The cessna had now crossed runway xxr and asked if they were cleared for take off on runway xxl; and I told them 'negative; hold in position'. I wanted to hold the cessna on the ground until we had a chance to sort things out. I then noticed an aircraft in downwind for runway xxl; so I cleared him to land. The landing aircraft turned final for runway xxl while the cessna was still holding in position; so the asde-X alarm sounded. I changed the landing aircraft to runway xxr; issued landing clearance; and he landed on runway xxr. The relieving controller took over; and they taxied the cessna off of the runway and held him short of runway xxl. Recommend continued scanning of all areas to ensure that the correct planes are doing what they were instructed to do. When there are similar sounding call signs; make sure that only the correct plane answers the instruction. Although we clearly heard call sign xxy acknowledge take off clearance; there was also a ringing sound in the background of the frequency which may have been the cessna (call sign XXX) trying to read back the clearance but getting blocked by the other's transmission. When holding a plane on the ground to decide what action is to be taken; do not hold them on the runway. Make sure that they clear the runway and instruct them to hold short instead.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Tower Controller described an unauthorized runway crossing event that resulted in a go around; the reports indicating similar call signs; missed read backs and minimal experience levels as contributing factors.

Narrative: A Cessna (call sign XXX) was in position on Runway XXL; waiting for traffic to depart Runway YYL. Air Carrier Y; [B737]; was on short final to Runway XXR. The Cessna was holding short of Runway XXR waiting for their turn to depart. When a similar call sign (XXY) was cleared for takeoff on Runway XXL; the Cessna (who was holding short of Runway XXR) incorrectly thought that the instruction was for him. The Cessna proceeded to cross Runway XXR on his way to Runway XXL; with a B737 now on very short final for Runway XXR. The B737 was issued a go-around due to traffic on the runway. I worked to separate the B737 from traffic departing Runway XXL as well as the traffic that had just departed Runway YYL. The Cessna had now crossed Runway XXR and asked if they were cleared for take off on Runway XXL; and I told them 'negative; hold in position'. I wanted to hold the Cessna on the ground until we had a chance to sort things out. I then noticed an aircraft in downwind for Runway XXL; so I cleared him to land. The landing aircraft turned final for Runway XXL while the Cessna was still holding in position; so the ASDE-X alarm sounded. I changed the landing aircraft to Runway XXR; issued landing clearance; and he landed on Runway XXR. The relieving Controller took over; and they taxied the Cessna off of the runway and held him short of Runway XXL. Recommend continued scanning of all areas to ensure that the correct planes are doing what they were instructed to do. When there are similar sounding call signs; make sure that only the correct plane answers the instruction. Although we clearly heard call sign XXY acknowledge take off clearance; there was also a ringing sound in the background of the frequency which may have been the Cessna (call sign XXX) trying to read back the clearance but getting blocked by the other's transmission. When holding a plane on the ground to decide what action is to be taken; do not hold them on the runway. Make sure that they clear the runway and instruct them to hold short instead.

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.

Attributes
ACN	1003637
Time
Date	201204
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Cessna Single Piston Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Taxi
Route In Use	None
Flight Plan	VFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Final Approach
Route In Use	Visual Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Local
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Developmental
Person 2
Function	Single Pilot Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Private
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 48 Flight Crew Total 65 Flight Crew Type 65
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Conflict Ground Conflict Critical Deviation - Procedural Clearance Ground Incursion Runway Ground Incursion Taxiway

Tower controller described an unauthorized runway crossing event that resulted in a go around; the reports indicating similar call signs; missed read backs and minimal experience levels as contributing factors.