Narrative:

I was the tower controller in charge (tcic) who opens the facility in the morning. The opening controller in charge performs administrative duties prior to acquiring the airspace from the center. I had performed some duties downstairs then went upstairs to open. When I was walking upstairs into the tower cab; I heard a crj transmitting on CTAF (in the speaker) that he was taxiing to runway 27 for departure. I turned the large overhead light on and began to perform my opening tasks. When I went to the ASOS to prepare the opening ATIS; I saw that the weather was IFR (00000KT 2SM br fu OVC070 11/09 A3009). The crj announced on CTAF that he was departing; I looked up and noticed that the runway and taxiway lights were all off. The runway and taxiway lights are on pilot control via 'clicking' CTAF when the tower is closed. Because of the visibility; I wasn't positive the lights were off; so I walked over and turned off the overhead light so I could see better. The airfield lights were all off. By this time; the crj was rolling down the runway at a high rate of speed. I checked the light control panel and it was set correctly. I was afraid to attempt to activate the lights during the critical phase of flight. The crj rotated and departed without incident. When the crj cleared the traffic pattern; I tested the pilot control lights by clicking on CTAF and they functioned normally. I don't know what happened prior to his taxi; but my best guess is that the crj never attempted to turn the lights on prior to taxi. The crj did not attempt to click them up prior to departure as I would have heard that in the speaker. This event really unnerved me - all I could think when I saw the crj rolling down the unlit runway was what happened in a prior notable incident. I do not know what the company and far requirements are; but surely at night and during IFR conditions the airfield lights should be on. The safety department at the airline and possibly FSDO should be contacted so that air crews can be made aware of this issue. In the future; when I hear someone taxiing prior to opening; I will check the lights myself and at least advise the pilot.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Tower Controller observed an Air Carrier depart during IFR and night time conditions without activating the runway lights via the CTAF procedures.

Narrative: I was the Tower CIC (TCIC) who opens the facility in the morning. The opening CIC performs administrative duties prior to acquiring the airspace from the Center. I had performed some duties downstairs then went upstairs to open. When I was walking upstairs into the Tower Cab; I heard a CRJ transmitting on CTAF (in the speaker) that he was taxiing to Runway 27 for departure. I turned the large overhead light on and began to perform my opening tasks. When I went to the ASOS to prepare the opening ATIS; I saw that the weather was IFR (00000KT 2SM BR FU OVC070 11/09 A3009). The CRJ announced on CTAF that he was departing; I looked up and noticed that the runway and taxiway lights were all off. The runway and taxiway lights are on pilot control via 'clicking' CTAF when the Tower is closed. Because of the visibility; I wasn't positive the lights were off; so I walked over and turned off the overhead light so I could see better. The airfield lights were all off. By this time; the CRJ was rolling down the runway at a high rate of speed. I checked the light control panel and it was set correctly. I was afraid to attempt to activate the lights during the critical phase of flight. The CRJ rotated and departed without incident. When the CRJ cleared the traffic pattern; I tested the pilot control lights by clicking on CTAF and they functioned normally. I don't know what happened prior to his taxi; but my best guess is that the CRJ never attempted to turn the lights on prior to taxi. The CRJ did not attempt to click them up prior to departure as I would have heard that in the speaker. This event really unnerved me - all I could think when I saw the CRJ rolling down the unlit runway was what happened in a prior notable incident. I do not know what the company and FAR requirements are; but surely at night and during IFR conditions the airfield lights should be on. The safety department at the airline and possibly FSDO should be contacted so that air crews can be made aware of this issue. In the future; when I hear someone taxiing prior to opening; I will check the lights myself and at least advise the pilot.

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.