Narrative:

I was working the local south; ground south; and clearance delivery positions during the midnight shift when aircraft X called for taxi to runway 7L. I issued taxi instructions to the runway and ensured the instructions were followed. When aircraft X was approaching the runway I coordinated the release with the local north controller and I proceeded to clear aircraft X for takeoff on runway 7L. I had another unfamiliar aircraft on the frequency as well that was given taxi instructions to runway 7L which diverted my attention from the departing aircraft. When I turned to ensure the second aircraft was not going to encroach on the active runway aircraft X turned onto the closed runway; runway 7R; and slowly started takeoff roll. The local north controller and I noticed the aircraft had turned onto the wrong runway and was beginning to depart. I attempted to get the aircraft to stop and cancelled the takeoff but the aircraft had switched to the departure frequency and did not comply. Aircraft X departed safely.I am not sure why the aircraft departed an unlit runway or if the X that depicts runway 7R side of the closed runway was even in place because the runway had just recently closed. In this case the X on the runway 25L side of the runway was definitely in place because we were still west flow when the runway closed. Runway 7R/25L is almost always closed for the midnight shifts and I believe having a standard crossing point at an intersection would be a great help and will increase safety as well. When runway 7R/25L is closed the taxi instructions to and from the runways can be challenging even for veteran pilots especially at night. When the dayshift comes in for the morning one of the first things many of us do is get taxiway intersections for runway 7L; as crossing points if possible to be more efficient and safer. I understand that there will be times when this is not possible depending on what is being worked on during the midnight shift but I know most of the time it can be done. I believe this will exponentially help safety and minimize complexity for all pilots especially at night.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PHX Tower Controller reported an aircraft departed on a closed runway.

Narrative: I was working the Local South; Ground South; and Clearance Delivery positions during the midnight shift when Aircraft X called for taxi to Runway 7L. I issued taxi instructions to the runway and ensured the instructions were followed. When Aircraft X was approaching the runway I coordinated the release with the Local North controller and I proceeded to clear Aircraft X for takeoff on Runway 7L. I had another unfamiliar aircraft on the frequency as well that was given taxi instructions to runway 7L which diverted my attention from the departing aircraft. When I turned to ensure the second aircraft was not going to encroach on the active runway Aircraft X turned onto the closed runway; Runway 7R; and slowly started takeoff roll. The Local North controller and I noticed the aircraft had turned onto the wrong runway and was beginning to depart. I attempted to get the aircraft to stop and cancelled the takeoff but the aircraft had switched to the departure frequency and did not comply. Aircraft X departed safely.I am not sure why the aircraft departed an unlit runway or if the X that depicts Runway 7R side of the closed runway was even in place because the runway had just recently closed. In this case the X on the Runway 25L side of the runway was definitely in place because we were still west flow when the runway closed. Runway 7R/25L is almost always closed for the midnight shifts and I believe having a standard crossing point at an intersection would be a great help and will increase safety as well. When runway 7R/25L is closed the taxi instructions to and from the runways can be challenging even for veteran pilots especially at night. When the dayshift comes in for the morning one of the first things many of us do is get taxiway intersections for Runway 7L; as crossing points if possible to be more efficient and safer. I understand that there will be times when this is not possible depending on what is being worked on during the midnight shift but I know most of the time it can be done. I believe this will exponentially help safety and minimize complexity for all pilots especially at night.

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.