A Viva Aerobus Airbus A320neo flying from Chicago O’Hare International Airport nearly took off from the taxiway instead of runway.
On May 31, 2022, VivaAerobus flight #VB187 from Chicago O’Hare to Mexico City was instructed to taxi to runway 22L via taxiway V. The ATC said, ‘Aeroenlaces 187, turn left heading 180, runway 22L, cleared for takeoff’.
But the pilots confused taxiway N for the runway and proceeded to depart.
The controller realized the crew’s mistake and repeatedly said “STOP!” to get the attention of the VivaAerobus pilots.
The crew rejected takeoff and taxied back to the runway.
The flight safely departed from runway 22L minutes later to Mexico.