According to the NTSB, the Cessna was told to take an early taxiway exit but missed and the pilot reported he or she was heading for the next taxiway. The trainees missed that and, thinking the 172 had left the runway, cleared the RJ for takeoff.
*The Mesa crew apparently heard the 172 pilot's report that the controllers missed but started the takeoff. *They were almost at rotation speed when they spotted the Cessna and swerved to miss it.
That I find very hard to believe.[my * and bold]. To attempt to take off on a suspected blocked runway.....the mind boggles. Could they not see the Cessna was still on the runway? Or has the Airfield got a "hump" bigger than the one at MAN?
watp,iktch