Lax controller described a potential ground conflict event. Local controller cleared an aircraft for...

Narrative:

I was observing the operation on the south side of the tower. Aircraft X landed runway 25L; exited to join taxiway H westbound; and was now being taxied across runway 25R at taxiway T by the LC1 controller. Aircraft Y was in position on runway 25R. When aircraft X had crossed the majority of runway 25R; LC1 cleared aircraft Y for take off. Aircraft X had stopped and not turned onto taxiway B; aircraft X still had a good portion of their tail over the runway 25R hold bars when aircraft Y was cleared for take off. Aircraft X was just fully clearing runway 25R when aircraft Y had rotated; and was passing taxiway P. I believe that the LC1 controller knew that aircraft X was still partially on the runway; but cleared aircraft Y for take off anyway. Recommendation; I recommend a change in the safety culture at lax ATCT; because it doesn't appear that they got the memo about the FAA being safety focused. Quite simply; it appears that lax management is willing to 'play the odds' that if they bend/break the rules; the odds say; nothing will happen.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: LAX Controller described a potential ground conflict event. Local Controller cleared an aircraft for take off; prior to crossing traffic being clear of the departure runway.

Narrative: I was observing the operation on the South side of the tower. Aircraft X landed Runway 25L; exited to join Taxiway H Westbound; and was now being taxied across Runway 25R at Taxiway T by the LC1 Controller. Aircraft Y was in position on Runway 25R. When Aircraft X had crossed the majority of Runway 25R; LC1 cleared Aircraft Y for take off. Aircraft X had stopped and not turned onto Taxiway B; Aircraft X still had a good portion of their tail over the Runway 25R hold bars when Aircraft Y was cleared for take off. Aircraft X was just fully clearing Runway 25R when Aircraft Y had rotated; and was passing Taxiway P. I believe that the LC1 Controller knew that Aircraft X was still partially on the runway; but cleared Aircraft Y for take off anyway. Recommendation; I recommend a change in the safety culture at LAX ATCT; because it doesn't appear that they got the memo about the FAA being safety focused. Quite simply; it appears that LAX management is willing to 'play the odds' that if they bend/break the rules; the odds say; nothing will happen.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 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.

Attributes
ACN	987028
Time
Date	201201
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	LAX.Tower
State Reference	CA
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Taxi
Route In Use	None
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Developmental
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Conflict Ground Conflict Critical Ground Incursion Runway

Lax controller described a potential ground conflict event. Local controller cleared an aircraft for take off; prior to crossing traffic being clear of the departure runway.