Air taxi Captain reported lack of clarity and EFB display of airport taxiway restrictions resulted in a taxiway incursion. Captain also reported the need for clarification of taxiway restrictions.
Synopsis
Air taxi Captain reported lack of clarity and EFB display of airport taxiway restrictions resulted in a taxiway incursion. Captain also reported the need for clarification of taxiway restrictions.
Narrative
We landed on runway 17R at DWH. Tower was closed and there was traffic in the pattern at the airport. Yes; pattern traffic at XA:20 CDT. It was dark and both of us were unfamiliar with the airport. I was PM for this flight. Enroute; we had gone over the Prohibited/Critical OPs data in Waypoint and on the appropriate airport charts. Many taxiway weight restrictions and cautions are listed on the airport diagram. We briefed we would try to stop the aircraft to exit onto taxiway E. Unfortunately; we were unable to slow the aircraft down in time to make E. The previously mentioned traffic made a radio call stating they were on 3 mile final for runway 17R. I took over control of the aircraft as we rolled out; looking to the left for a taxiway to exit onto. The next taxiway; G; looked as if it had a barrier with flashing lights blocking the entrance; so we rolled down to the next taxiway; H. At this time; the traffic radioed they were on short final. I turned left on to taxiway H; cleared the runway and stopped. We both looked around for route to taxi to the FBO. Taxiway F looked too narrow to try; so after a few minutes looking at our options; we decided to enter runway 17L and back taxi and try to get back onto 17R via G. As we approached G; we again saw the barricade and dim flashing lights. We had no other option but to continue back taxiing down 17L to taxiway K and then onto taxiway E. Which is what we did. We parked at the FBO; off loaded our passengers and went through the process of securing the aircraft for the night. We did a thorough post flight inspection. We flew 8.1 hours that day and 7.4 hours the previous day.It wasn't until the next morning while I was going over the events of earlier that morning; that I realized that taxiway K was restricted. I had the airport diagram on my iPad zoomed in so much that the taxiway notes and restrictions were not visible as we were taxiing. I talked to the FBO ramp personnel when we showed for our next duty later that day. They said that happens weekly. So I'm submitting this in the hopes no one else makes the same mistake. Suggestions: The wording of the notes on the airport diagram and the Prohibited/Critical ops in waypoint are vague. It needs to say something like: Aircraft over such and such weight MUST BACK TAXI ON 17R AND EXIT AT C TAXIWAY WHEN LANDING ON RUNWAY 17R".DWH is a very demanding airport to operate on when the tower is not in operation. I'm sure other smaller aircraft don't understand the restrictions that jet aircraft have at that airport when the tower is closed. They don't know they need to give larger planes more time and space so they can back taxi on 17R."
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.