A Corporate Jet flight crew reported a DET Runway 33 runway incursion on Taxiway J at Taxiway A because the hold short lines are faded and unexpectedly close to Taxiway A after turning toward Runway 33 on Taxiway J.
Synopsis
A Corporate Jet flight crew reported a DET Runway 33 runway incursion on Taxiway J at Taxiway A because the hold short lines are faded and unexpectedly close to Taxiway A after turning toward Runway 33 on Taxiway J.
Narrative
Event started with both crewmembers expecting to taxi out of an FBO on the east side of the airport. Our aircraft was facing 250 degrees heading; pointing exactly at and lined up with Taxiway 'H.' I had even pointed at the runway hold short line (on Taxiway 'H') when the Flight Attendant asked how long the taxi would be. After start up and completing before taxi checklists; we called ground for taxi clearance. Ground gave taxi south on 'A;' cross Runway 25; hold short of Runway 33. Since we were parked on the south edge of the ramp; the Captain turned the aircraft south very shortly after starting the taxi. Again this was slightly different from what I expected; but was a very simple change. We both looked both ways; turned on the anti collision lights and crossed Runway 25 at Taxiway 'A.' After crossing; I turned off the strobe light and told the Captain I would be inside to accomplish the taxi checklist. This is where I feel I let the Captain down on 'PNF' (pilot not flying) duties. I should have stayed outside until he had the Runway 33 hold short lines in sight; as my head went down before we completed the turn onto Taxiway 'J.' Before I knew it; we had crossed the hold short lines for Runway 33. The ground control called this out. We stopped taxiing; but ground instructed us to taxi across Runway 33; as a jet was on left base for Runway 33. Ground Control didn't seem too excited; and instructed us to cross Runway 33; taxi down Taxiway 'J' until we could turn around and taxi back to and hold short of Runway 33 from the west side. I had the impression we were not the first aircraft to cross this particular hold short line. Suggestions: 1. The main item I could control to prevent this event is to not to be 'heads down' before the Captain has the hold short lines in sight; when the runway to hold short of is so close. I Google mapped (satellite image) DET; and 'zoomed in' to the corner between Runway 25 and Runway 33; and found the hold short line to be located in such a way that unless the turn was squared; the aircraft would not be facing a 250 degree direction holding short; since the hold short of Runway 33 line is basically at the beginning of Taxiway 'J.' I mentally pictured the hold short further west (such as on Taxiway 'H;' in which I was looking at during the flight deck set up; getting clearance; etc.). External improvements. 1. The hold short lines east of Runway 33 on taxiway 'J' are very faded. Even though it was past dawn; morning shadows may have aggravated the visibility of this faded paint. 2. This could be a good spot for runway guard lights. The pavement is 'very busy' with marking in this area; these lights would stick out. 3. A simple 'hotspot' circle on the airport plan view may be a quick fix to increase attention to this corner. The ground controller didn't seem too surprised when we crossed this hold short line.
Second reporter narrative
After crossing runway 25 I felt that the 'exciting' part of our taxi was complete. Knowing the remaining distance to taxi was small; I called for the taxi checklist. My F/O's attention went 'inside' the aircraft. The SOP calls for strobes as part of anticollision lighting during runway crossings; and my F/O had complied with that SOP item. The anticollision control in [our aircraft] is of the repeated push switchlight type. Thus it is necessary to put your eyes on the switchlight to determine whether the navigation lights are in OFF; RED or ALL; and I did so momentarily. I slowed my taxi rate to a crawl as I looked outside in search of a hold short line or a hold short light. I noticed we were nearing the runway 33 edge without having seen either. So I brought the aircraft to a stop on the taxi. When we queried the tower; the controller said words to the effect of 'You're a little too far there; so continue crossing runway 33; you can turn around anywhere you want up there. Cross runway 33 and then hold short of runway 33.'
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.