Air carrier flight crew reported a possible near miss while preparing to taxi across runway with another aircraft on takeoff roll.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported a possible near miss while preparing to taxi across runway with another aircraft on takeoff roll.
Narrative
After landing we cleared Runway 4R and were instructed to hold short of 4L at Kilo. We complied with that instruction. Shortly after Tower instructed us to cross 4L on Kilo and to contact Ground on the other side; traffic would wait downfield. I read this instruction back and began to look right. I felt the brakes release for a brief moment before immediately being reapplied as the Captain checked our left side. The aircraft moved inches and remained clear of the hold short line. The Captain vocalized that something was wrong. I looked left and saw the aircraft that we believed was lining up and waiting had all of their lights on and was slowly moving toward us. I looked down and saw the lead in lights to the runway were red. Tower was transmitting to another aircraft when we heard someone in the background saying STOP STOP STOP" before another Controller instructed us to hold position. We were stopped at this point and complied with the instruction. After the departure we were cleared across and continued to the gate uneventfully.Suggestions: I believe that the lead in lights prevented this from becoming a far more dangerous situation. The departing aircraft was initially moving slow and was far enough away that it would have been very easy to mistake it for holding position as we had been told it would. The lead in lights provided early warning that something was not right and allowed the Captain to take action quickly. In my opinion such systems should be far more common."
Second reporter narrative
After landing 4R; Tower clears us off at P3 to hold short of 4L at K. Soon after stopping short of 4L at K; Tower clears the aircraft on 4L for takeoff. Soon after that; we are 'cleared to cross 4L at K; contact Ground on the other side; traffic will hold on the runway.' I drop the parking brake and turn on the external lights in preparation to cross the active runway.Quickly; I notice the red lead-on lights illuminated; and see the landing lights of a moving aircraft still on the 4L. I immediately stop (still short of 4L); set the parking brake; turn off the lights; and tell my First Officer we are holding here.We then hear a distressing 'whoa whoa whoa' from Tower telling us to stop and hold short of 4L. Since we were already stopped; we acknowledged; then waited for a proper clearance to cross the runway.Suggestions: I believe what might have happened is that Tower clear an aircraft for takeoff; got distracted; then cleared us to crossed thinking that the first aircraft was off the ground already. I am basing this off the fact that Tower told us the traffic would hold on the runway. If I hadn't been alerted by the red lead on lights; it is likely I would have been much slower to respond to the aircraft landing lights rolling toward us. At that distance; it is hard to readily tell if the lights are moving. Given the fact that I was given conflicting information; I am glad I stopped immediately. In the future; I would suggest ATC to stay just as vigilant as pilots when it comes to situational awareness on the ground. Distractions are everywhere but we must always stay focused to the tasks at hand. I trusted my gut and chose to ignore Tower's traffic will hold in position" call by reapplying the parking brake. In the end; there was no runway incursion but I believe it was close enough to warrant attention and acknowledgment."
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.