Air carrier flight crew reported a critical ground conflict during taxi when ATC cleared them to cross a runway that had an aircraft on takeoff roll. Flight crew stopped past runway hold-short lines and departing aircraft rejected takeoff.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported a critical ground conflict during taxi when ATC cleared them to cross a runway that had an aircraft on takeoff roll. Flight crew stopped past runway hold-short lines and departing aircraft rejected takeoff.
Narrative
After landing on ZZZ runway XXL; we got an immediate clearance to cross runway XXR at taxiway 1 and to continue taxing to our gate via taxiway 2 and to be advised that there will be an aircraft holding in position at the end of the runway. Before entering the runway environment; I looked to the right; and saw an aircraft on the runway. I assumed that aircraft was in position as ATC had warned us about this aircraft. I did not notice any movement on the other aircraft as the aircraft was nearly a mile away. A few moments later ATC told us to hold short of run XXR at [taxiway] 1 however it was too late and we had already passed the hold short lines. The red runway safety lights then immediately illuminated (they were not activated before crossing the hold short lines). We brought the aircraft to a stop just prior to the actual runway and told ATC we were in the runway environment. At the same time ATC seems to be yelling abort the takeoff to another aircraft. The aircraft on the runway was on their takeoff roll and was able to reject the takeoff and stop in a timely manner. We then received our taxi instructions to continue to the gate via [taxiway 3]. Once at the gate; I called clearance delivery to get the towers phone number to talk about this event. The captain called the tower and was reassured that we had proper clearance to cross the runway and at that time; didn't believe we were at fault.
Second reporter narrative
Landed runway XXL in ZZZ. Exited the runway at taxiway 1. Tower immediately gave us a clearance to cross XXR at [taxiway 1] and told us that an aircraft was holding in position. As I crossed the runway hold line; Tower told Aircraft X heavy (us; although we are not heavy) to hold short of XXR. Tower immediately corrected himself to tell us hold short of XXR. My first officer keyed the mic and said You just gave us a crossing clearance!" At that moment I saw the red Runway Entrance Lights illuminate. Tower then told Aircraft Y to abort his takeoff (which he did). When I came to a stop; the nose of my aircraft was just over the easternmost edge of the runway. After Tower made sure that Aircraft Y had aborted the takeoff; he gave us a clearance to cross XXR at [Taxiway] 1; join [taxiway 2] and contact ramp. After parking at the gate I asked my FO to contact Clearance Delivery to get a phone number for the tower supervisor. I spoke to the supervisor from the cockpit. He confirmed that we were; in fact; given a clearance to cross runway XXR."
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.