By Simon Hradecky, created Thursday, Oct 18th 2012 13:37Z, last updated Wednesday, Oct 24th 2012 15:00Z
An Air France Airbus A319-100, registration F-GRHU performing flight AF-1587 from Sofia (Bulgaria) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (France), was taxiing for departure from runway 09, when the aircraft was cleared for takeoff from runway 09 at 06:56L (03:56Z). The aircraft however turned onto taxiway H and began takeoff from the taxiway about a minute later, when tower, quite agitated, instructed "Air France 1587, stop immediately! Stop immediately, Air France 1587! This is taxiway Hotel!" The crew rejected takeoff at low speed (recorded ground speed about 20 knots) and turned right onto taxiway C about 700 meters/2300 feet down taxiway H and returned to the holding point runway 09 taking off the runway about 20 minutes after the reject attempt to depart the taxiway. The aircraft reached Paris safely with a delay of about 10 minutes.
On Oct 24th 2012 the French BEA reported Bulgaria's Authorities are investigating the serious incident. The A319 had been cleared to taxi to runway 09 via taxiways N, J and B. While still taxiing the crew received takeoff clearance and instead of crossing taxiway H straight, remaining on taxiway B, turned right onto taxiway H and started the takeoff run. Tower instructed the aircraft to abort takeoff, cleared the flight to vacate the taxiway H via taxiway C, then instructed the flight to taxi to runway 09 via taxiways C, J, B, H (turning left where they had turned right) and A.
Wow, Glück gehabt.......