"Kyler Laird" wrote in message
news
Years ago I was leaving Purdue
http://www.airnav.com/airport/LAF
before the tower opened. (I think I was headed to Hamfest with some
friends. I don't usually get airborne that early.)

As I taxied to runway 5 I heard the local turboprop commuter (Mesaba, I
think) call a taxi to runway 10. I was headed away from him so I didn't
see him until I turned to do my runup. When I finished my runup I
realized that he had followed me. I thought about saying something but
just then a controller jumped in and vectored the plane to runway 10.

I always wondered what would have happened if that controller hadn't
gotten there early and said something (and I'd kept my mouth shut).
Would they have made it off the 4226' runway (5/23)? They regularly
fly in and out of 10/28 (6600') so I suspect that they could perform a
standard takeoff on 5 even though they might not handle an engine loss
as gracefully.

I wonder how often this (almost) happens.

--kyler

It can happen and has happened and will happen again as long as pilots don't
remember to physically check the runway heading by glancing at the DG or
HSI, or even the magnetic compass EVERY time they line up for takeoff. This
should be an automatic reflex action for a pilot, especially at busy
airports where runways are 30 degrees or less apart in direction.
Dudley Henriques