A CRJ crew described the difficulty determining if the 28C APCH sign on Taxiway E was only for instrument approach protection or if it was meant as the hold short line for Runway 28C.
Synopsis
A CRJ crew described the difficulty determining if the 28C APCH sign on Taxiway E was only for instrument approach protection or if it was meant as the hold short line for Runway 28C.
Narrative
DescriptionNormal start and taxi out of the gate in PIT. Was assigned by ground to taxi to 28C via Taxiways C; N and E to 28C. Normal taxi out; Before Take-Off Check was completed just after turning onto E from N. Captain continued to taxi at a slow pace towards 28C and approached a hold short line for 28C labeled as 28 APCH. I informed the captain we should hold short of 28C at that point and the Captain brought the aircraft to a stop; possibly just over the hold short line labeled 28C APCH. Both the Captain and I were confused by the labeling of the airport signage that indicated that was the ILS Hold Short for the 28C approach; but did not see another hold short line for the runway on Taxiway E. Several seconds after we stopped; tower issued us a takeoff clearance making no mention of having crossed the hold short line. We proceed down the rest of E onto 28C and completed a normal takeoff. The Captain and I were confused by the airport signage indicating that there was an ILS critical area but no other hold short lines. Since the weather was VFR the Captain and I assumed that there was another hold short line for the runway. After not seeing another one; I immediately told the captain to stop the aircraft. Contributing to this confusion was the lack of labeling on the airport diagram; not indicating an ILS critical area for 28C.
NASA callback
The reporter stated that the airport's NOTAMs included a statement about non-standard airport markings but don't say where those markings are. In this case; the '28-APCH' sign is so far from the runway's approach that it is not expected and he interpreted it as an informational sign instead of the position holding short marker. The sign was also so prominent that it distracted his vision from the taxiway markings; which he only saw at the very last moment allowing them to stop before crossing the line. The reporter stated that for clarity the sign should either be removed allowing the standard taxiway marking to visually prevail or an additional sign stating 'ALL AIRCRAFT HOLD HERE' supplement the current hold short sign.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.