2024-10 · NASA ASRS report 2177151
Student pilot reported they had received clearance to taxi and to hold short of the runway for landing traffic but did not stop and crossed the hold short line. The flight instructor took evasive action and applied the brakes.
I was doing Commercial Pilot Training with my instructor. I picked up our IFR clearance from ZZZ and advised I was ready to taxi. I got clear to taxi to runway XX via Taxiway 1; 2; and to hold short of Taxiway 2 for incoming landing traffic.I copied; made my way down on taxiway 1 to 2 while looking at the airport diagram; not noticing how close the hold short lines were.I then was instructed to continue taxi to runway XX; no delay; to pass Taxiway 2. I misunderstood hold short of Taxiway 2 and instead thought I was supposed to hold short at taxiway 2.So when I was instructed no delay I continued on to taxiway 2. I was approaching the hold short line; my instructor looked up and saw we were approaching the line; and got on the brakes at the same time ZZZ ground told us to get back on Taxiway 1 immediately; but we had just crossed the hold short line.We turned back to Taxiway 1 and taxi'd down to runway XX on Taxiway 1. Did our run up; changed to tower; and then switched back to ground at tower's instruction. Ground advised us possible pilot deviation and provided a phone number. My instructor called.After the call; we were given permission to taxi up to runway XX again. My instructor handled communications and we departed.I attribute this accident to my fixation on the taxi diagram and was issued an instruction I was unfamiliar with and instead of immediately asking my instructor or ground I attempted to comply.Next time I am unsure of an instruction I will be sure to clarify with ground or my instructor and will make sure to only cross hold short lines if I have a clearance to do so. My instructor and I had a very serious conversation about the importance of hold short lines and the importance of clarifying if I'm ever issued an instruction that I'm unsure of how to comply with.I don't take this incident lightly as I am aware of the dangers associated with runway incursions.
I conducted Commercial Pilot training for Person A in Aircraft X. We filed IFR from ZZZ. After receiving our IFR clearance; Person A advised ZZZ ground that they were ready to taxi from the FBO. ZZZ ground instructed him to taxi to Runway XX via Taxiway 1; hold short of Taxiway 2 for landing traffic. Person A read the instructions back and proceeded to taxi with no questions to ground or myself. While on Taxiway 1; I looked down at my flight plan/briefing. At the same time; ZZZ Ground advised Aircraft X no delay past taxiway 2; so Person A sped up. When I looked up Person A had taxied onto Taxiway 2 and was just over the hold short line with traffic landing Runway XX. I got on the brakes immediately. Just as I did; Ground told us to get back on Taxiway 1 immediately. I held the brakes and turned us back toward Taxiway 1 to continue the taxi. We reached the run-up area; discussed the severity of what had just happened; completed our run-up; then pulled forward to hold short of Runway XX. ZZZ Tower gave us our squawk code for IFR departure; but then instructed us to switch back over to Ground. While on Ground; we were advised of a possible pilot deviation; and given the phone number for the tower. I called the tower and spoke to the Ground controller and ZZZ Tower Supervisor. I said I had looked down at my briefing on the taxi; and understood we had a runway incursion. I informed them I was the instructor onboard and provided information. After the phone call I waited in the run-up for a moment to compose myself and had a serious discussion with Person A about the importance of hold short lines and the importance of asking for assistance from myself or ground if they are ever in a position where they are unsure of ATC instructions. That is something I harp on all the time to students; that ATC is here to help us and if we have any doubts about what we are being asked to do: ask. We then held in sequence until released for departure; and I handled the rest of the communications for the departure. After arriving in our destination; I elected to cancel our lesson for Day 1 and advised Person A we will be meeting to fill out a Report and that we will be reviewing airport signage; ATC instructions; and runway incursion avoidance.I will never let this happen again. The company I instruct for; conducted Person A PPL and Instrument Rating training; so I knew they had incredible high-quality flight instruction. We have flown together a lot; and Person A is usually very on top of things in the plane. With this in mind; I had a false sense of comfort. I regret looking down while taxiing. Even though Person A was operating as PIC; I was PIC as the instructor and fault myself for looking down. This is something I will never forget; and I will make sure that no student of mine ever puts themselves in a similar situation. Person A and I both learned very serious lessons today. I will never look down while the aircraft is moving; and Person A will never taxi over a hold short line without clearance to do so; and if at any point Person A is ever unsure of ATC instructions; they will ask before doing.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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