Narrative:

I was on the job training instructor (ojti) on ground and FD/clearance delivery combined. Aircraft X landed runway 19R and local instructed them to turn left on taxiway C and hold short runway 19L; which they did. Aircraft Y landed runway 19L and was instructed to continue down to taxiway left and turn left and to contact ground. Aircraft Z was in left closed traffic for runway 19L and was on final for runway 19L. Without looking up tower told aircraft X to cross runway 19L and contact ground on the other side while aircraft Z was on short final (about 300 feet from runway threshold). I called out 'on final.' the local controller then instructed aircraft X to hold short runway 19L and apologized to them. Aircraft X stopped on the hold short bars but did not cross them; nor did he cross the runway edge line. Local was preoccupied with personal distractions at his position and I believe that he forgot about aircraft Z. I believe that if he had been looking out the window he would have easily seen aircraft Z on short final. I believe that all personal materials and electronics should be banned from the tower cab. Not just in the off position or at a charging station; but in lockers in the break room. It's too easy for someone to have distractions put away while management is in the cab; but once they leave items on the back counter can become a distraction. By banning all personal items and electronics and doing random checks I believe more focus would be paid to traffic outside. Some controllers have already adopted this practice voluntarily.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Ground Control instructor hears Local Control cross an aircraft with an aircraft on short final. Local stops the crossing; but the aircraft is on the hold short bars. Local Control was distracted with personal issues and did not look up when giving the crossing instruction.

Narrative: I was On the Job Training Instructor (OJTI) on ground and FD/CD combined. Aircraft X landed runway 19R and local instructed them to turn left on taxiway C and hold short runway 19L; which they did. Aircraft Y landed runway 19L and was instructed to continue down to taxiway L and turn left and to contact ground. Aircraft Z was in left closed traffic for runway 19L and was on final for runway 19L. Without looking up tower told Aircraft X to cross runway 19L and contact ground on the other side while Aircraft Z was on short final (about 300 feet from runway threshold). I called out 'on final.' The Local Controller then instructed Aircraft X to hold short runway 19L and apologized to them. Aircraft X stopped on the hold short bars but did not cross them; nor did he cross the runway edge line. Local was preoccupied with personal distractions at his position and I believe that he forgot about Aircraft Z. I believe that if he had been looking out the window he would have easily seen Aircraft Z on short final. I believe that all personal materials and electronics should be banned from the tower cab. Not just in the off position or at a charging station; but in lockers in the break room. It's too easy for someone to have distractions put away while management is in the cab; but once they leave items on the back counter can become a distraction. By banning all personal items and electronics and doing random checks I believe more focus would be paid to traffic outside. Some controllers have already adopted this practice voluntarily.

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.