January 25, Anchorage, Alaska / Airbus A340

At 02:43 Alaska time, an Airbus Industrie A-340-300 operated by China Airlines took off from taxiway Kilo instead of runway 32 at Anchorage International Airport. The takeoff was without incident. The airplane was taxiing from the gate, southbound on taxiway Romeo and made a right turn onto Kilo. The airplane was cleared to take off on runway 32, but instead of taxiing on Kilo to the runway, the airplane accelerated down the 6,800-foot taxiway and took off. After departure, landing gear tire impressions were found in a snow berm at the end of the taxiway.