Narrative:

After completing my preflight checks on the ground at FBO; I started the engine and then called ground control for taxi instructions. I asked for and received progressive taxi instructions for runway xx. I was directed to a run-up area for my engine checks. After completing checks; I contacted ground again for taxi instructions to runway xx. I was directed forward and told to turn left onto what I thought was runway xx. I was then told to hold and contact the tower for takeoff clearance. I contacted the tower; and was given permission for takeoff. I announced taking active runway xx and rolling. The tower immediately called 'abort; abort.' I pulled power and started braking the aircraft. It seems I was still on the cross taxiway and had attempted a takeoff on it. The aircraft ran off the paving at the end of the taxiway for about 50 ft onto the grass. I completed a 180 degree turn and started back for the paving. The aircraft became stuck in some soft ground about 10 ft short of the paving. I informed the tower that there were no injuries or damage; but I did require a tow. FBO personnel came out with a tug and towed me back to the paving. After doing a very careful check on the propeller; control surfaces; and landing gear; I informed the tower that I would continue on with my flight. I was directed to runway xx and given permission for takeoff. On looking back on the incident; I realize 3 things that were contributing factors to this. 1) the assumption that the progressive taxi instructions would get me all the way to runway xx before contacting the tower for takeoff clearance. This was not the case; as ground turned me over to the tower away from runway xx. 2) not having a sterile cockpit; there were some distractions from my passenger; and cell phone. 3) my failure to verify runway heading before takeoff.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: C182 pilot attempts takeoff on short taxiway thinking he is on the runway when takeoff clearance is received. Tower calls abort too late to prevent going across parallel runway into grass.

Narrative: After completing my preflight checks on the ground at FBO; I started the engine and then called Ground Control for taxi instructions. I asked for and received progressive taxi instructions for Runway XX. I was directed to a run-up area for my engine checks. After completing checks; I contacted Ground again for taxi instructions to Runway XX. I was directed forward and told to turn left onto what I thought was Runway XX. I was then told to hold and contact the Tower for takeoff clearance. I contacted the Tower; and was given permission for takeoff. I announced taking active Runway XX and rolling. The Tower immediately called 'abort; abort.' I pulled power and started braking the aircraft. It seems I was still on the cross taxiway and had attempted a takeoff on it. The aircraft ran off the paving at the end of the taxiway for about 50 FT onto the grass. I completed a 180 degree turn and started back for the paving. The aircraft became stuck in some soft ground about 10 FT short of the paving. I informed the Tower that there were no injuries or damage; but I did require a tow. FBO personnel came out with a tug and towed me back to the paving. After doing a very careful check on the propeller; control surfaces; and landing gear; I informed the Tower that I would continue on with my flight. I was directed to Runway XX and given permission for takeoff. On looking back on the incident; I realize 3 things that were contributing factors to this. 1) The assumption that the progressive taxi instructions would get me all the way to Runway XX before contacting the Tower for takeoff clearance. This was not the case; as Ground turned me over to the Tower away from Runway XX. 2) Not having a sterile cockpit; there were some distractions from my passenger; and cell phone. 3) My failure to verify runway heading before takeoff.

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.