Date: 201208
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Aircraft: Dash 8-400
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Flight phase: Takeoff / Launch
ATC / advisory: Tower ZZZ
Second aircraft: Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Reporter organization: Government
Reporter function: Local
Reporter qualification: Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Second reporter function: Supervisor / CIC
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control
Result: General None Reported / Taken
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: I started opening the Tower for the business day. The FLM was there and informed me that the ASOS was not working so she was there to give a Dash 8 the current information to allow him to depart on time. The Dash 8 started taxing out so I asked him if he had the weather; he said he did but I also gave him what was most current on the weather screen. The Dash 8 then asked if I could give him his IFR clearance. Because I know that it is hard to contact the Center from the ground at the airport; I gave the Dash 8 his clearance. I did not clear him for take off or reference any release type information. I immediately called the Center and told them that I had issued the clearance to Dash 8 and said they should be calling them shortly for a release. A minute or two after that I heard the Dash 8 departing from the runway so I asked him for a tops report. The Dash 8 gave me a tops report I then told him to have a good flight. Shortly after the Dash 8's departure someone from the Center called and asked if we released the Dash 8. I said no. The Controller asked if we saw the Skylane. I said no; and that I could not even see the runway. The Center then called back and said that a Skylane departed the same time that the Dash 8 did. I was not aware that there was even another aircraft out by the runway. There was fog limiting the visibility to less than 1/4 mile and there were no broadcasts by the Skylane that he was even moving about the airport or that he was going to depart. Because the FLM was in the Cab at the time she started looking into what happened. I will never issue a clearance before we open again; even if it is a nice guy thing to do.


Second narrative: I was CIC and in the equipment room to check the recording devise. I went to Tower Cab and noticed a Controller sitting at the Local Control position and my FLM sitting at the desk. Apparently; Local had issued an IFR clearance to a Dash 8; which I was not aware of. At this time of morning the normal task is deciding who will work which position at start of opening of the Tower. Apparently; a hold for release was not given or coordination with the IFR authority was not done. About five to ten minutes later; we were advised there was an issue with an IFR departure taking off with out a release. A Hold For Release (HFR) should have been given.


Synopsis: Before official opening; a Tower Controller gave a clearance; as a courtesy; to an Air Carrier that then failed to get a release from the controlling Center before departing.