Narrative:

As I was working the controller in charge position as the flm; the ground controller was talking about the runway construction that was going on; I couldn't hear what he was saying so I removed my ear piece to hear what he was saying. I heard the local controller clear an IFR cessna for take off then returned my ear piece into my ear. An IFR low wing single called ready for IFR departure and the local controller told him to hold short waiting IFR release. Local controller then got the release and cleared the low wing single for take off. The cessna did not acquire right away and the low wing single was on the wrong code. Local controller issued the low wing single the correct code and it acquired the same time the cessna acquired. I was unaware that both aircraft were IFR and could not clearly see the radar display as the controller in charge position is in the back of the tower cab. Local controller switched the low wing single to departure control after it acquired. The cessna then checked in for a radio check. Local controller told the cessna he was loud and clear; then switched the cessna to departure. After listening to the audio; when the cessna called local controller for departure; he stated that he was holding short ready for IFR departure. Local controller did not understand him because of broken english and asked the last aircraft calling say his call sign. When the cessna responded; he only responded with his call sign and did not repeat that he was IFR. That's when the local controller cleared the cessna for take off. [I] recommend constant review of the strips and to move the controller in charge position closer to a tower radar display instead of at the back of the tower cab.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ADS Controller described a loss of separation event when two successive IFR departure aircraft were released without proper separation.

Narrative: As I was working the CIC position as the FLM; the Ground Controller was talking about the runway construction that was going on; I couldn't hear what he was saying so I removed my ear piece to hear what he was saying. I heard the Local Controller clear an IFR Cessna for take off then returned my ear piece into my ear. An IFR low wing single called ready for IFR departure and the Local Controller told him to hold short waiting IFR release. Local Controller then got the release and cleared the low wing single for take off. The Cessna did not acquire right away and the low wing single was on the wrong code. Local Controller issued the low wing single the correct code and it acquired the same time the Cessna acquired. I was unaware that both aircraft were IFR and could not clearly see the RADAR display as the CIC position is in the back of the tower cab. Local Controller switched the low wing single to Departure Control after it acquired. The Cessna then checked in for a radio check. Local Controller told the Cessna he was loud and clear; then switched the Cessna to departure. After listening to the audio; when the Cessna called Local Controller for departure; he stated that he was holding short ready for IFR departure. Local Controller did not understand him because of broken English and asked the last aircraft calling say his call sign. When the Cessna responded; he only responded with his call sign and did not repeat that he was IFR. That's when the Local Controller cleared the Cessna for take off. [I] recommend constant review of the strips and to move the CIC position closer to a Tower RADAR display instead of at the back of the tower cab.

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.