Narrative:

I was working the lake hood position and observed 4 moose near the airstrip. I was busy looking at the strip to determine if a moose was inside or outside the fence near the strip. Aircraft X called ready to taxi. I did not hear aircraft X say they were at fish and wildlife. (This required the aircraft to cross the active water lane). I cleared aircraft X to taxi for a west via the slow canal.aircraft Y called ready for departure on the west water lane. I cleared aircraft Y for takeoff west. I briefly glanced at the water lane and did not observe any aircraft in the canal; my view was partially obstructed by the pole and the tdw (tower display workstation). I went back looking at the moose near the strip to ensure that he did not go on the strip. Aircraft Y departed and aircraft X asked to verify that he was cleared to cross the water lane. I did not use the words cross the east/west water lane taxi via the slow canal as required. I told him to taxi for a west.I immediately notified the controller in charge (controller in charge) what had just transpired. Once aircraft X was airborne I asked him where he was when aircraft Y departed. He stated that he was in the middle of the canal. I estimated it to be around 4000 feet down the water lane. I advised the controller in charge that they should call the supervisor on duty to start a significant mandatory occurrence report.our tower display workstation is obstructing the east/west water lane. Recommend that it be moved to the west side of the stripboard.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Tower Controller cleared an aircraft for takeoff. The Controller did not notice an aircraft was in the path of the departure due to their view being blocked by Tower Display equipment.

Narrative: I was working the Lake Hood position and observed 4 moose near the airstrip. I was busy looking at the strip to determine if a moose was inside or outside the fence near the strip. Aircraft X called ready to taxi. I did not hear Aircraft X say they were at fish and wildlife. (This required the aircraft to cross the active water lane). I cleared Aircraft X to taxi for a west via the slow canal.Aircraft Y called ready for departure on the west water lane. I cleared Aircraft Y for takeoff west. I briefly glanced at the water lane and did not observe any aircraft in the canal; my view was partially obstructed by the pole and the TDW (tower display workstation). I went back looking at the moose near the strip to ensure that he did not go on the strip. Aircraft Y departed and Aircraft X asked to verify that he was cleared to cross the water lane. I did not use the words cross the east/west water lane taxi via the slow canal as required. I told him to taxi for a west.I immediately notified the Controller In Charge (CIC) what had just transpired. Once Aircraft X was airborne I asked him where he was when Aircraft Y departed. He stated that he was in the middle of the canal. I estimated it to be around 4000 feet down the water lane. I advised the CIC that they should call the supervisor on duty to start a significant Mandatory Occurrence Report.Our tower display workstation is obstructing the east/west water lane. Recommend that it be moved to the west side of the stripboard.

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.