CE550 flight crew reports runway incursion at JRF due to a misunderstood taxi clearance and the Commercial Chart airport diagram that does not depict the new extension of Taxiway B leading to Taxiway A southwest of Runway 11/29.
Synopsis
CE550 flight crew reports runway incursion at JRF due to a misunderstood taxi clearance and the Commercial Chart airport diagram that does not depict the new extension of Taxiway B leading to Taxiway A southwest of Runway 11/29.
Narrative
We received taxi clearance from the ramp area for takeoff on Runway 4R. We were cleared to taxi via Taxiway B to Taxiway 4R. Neither crew member was familiar with that portion of the airfield; so we requested further instructions while leaving the ramp area. We were instructed to proceed to the second taxiway intersection which was Taxiway B and turn right; then left at the next taxiway; which was C. We knew that we were now headed towards Runway 4L (half of Runway 4L is closed and it is designated as Taxiway A) threshold. We asked for instructions again; assuming that we would be told to turn right and taxi down the closed portion of Runway 4L (Taxiway A). Instead we were told we had crossed over the hold short line to Runway 4L. We were stopped. Up to this time; we were never instructed to hold short of any runway or taxiway. We looked back and could see faded hold short lines - they were worn and not as highly visible as we are used to. We stopped short of the runway where it turns into Taxiway A. There were no runway holding position signs at that point. There were no aircraft in the pattern for Runway 4L and we were told to turn right on Runway 4L/Taxiway A and taxi to Runway 4R. The takeoff and the rest of the flight was uneventful. Both crew members; prior to taxi; reviewed the airport diagram. There was no extension of Taxiway B depicted that would allow us to avoid traveling Runway 4L to get to Taxiway A (closed portion of Runway 4L). The airports guide likewise does not depict this. After landing we checked the airport diagram and it does depict the extension past Taxiway C. This incident could have been avoided in several ways: 1) Ground control could have told us to hold short at Runway 4L; but didn't; so we assumed we were cleared on to Taxiway A. 2) Taxi instructions could have been more specific after we asked for further instructions upon leaving the ramp area - it was clear we were not familiar with the airport 'cross Charlie to Alpha.'3) Hold short line could have been more visible. 4) There should have been a runway holding position sign. Commercial chart manufacturers need to update their diagrams to match NOAA's. 6) The Controller could have told us to stop prior to passing the hold short line - he didn't say anything until we called asking for further instructions. 7) We could have been more vigilant and asked for instructions prior to the hold short line if we had seen it.
Second reporter narrative
Neither the pilot flying nor I was familiar with that portion of that airport so we reviewed the airport diagram and agreed that it was very hard to read. We called for taxi and said we were unfamiliar with the field. We were told to taxi to Runway 4R via Taxiway B. We started toward Taxiway B but were unsure of where we were so asked for clarification. We were told to turn right on Taxiway B and then left. We turned right on Taxiway B and then turned left at the next intersection. We were still not sure of our route so we asked ground for clarification. Ground said we had just passed over a hold short line and were encroaching on Runway 4L (which has a very displaced threshold). We were instructed to turn right and proceed on Taxiway A which is the original Runway 4L prior to the displaced threshold. The rest of the flight was uneventful. Contributing factors: 1) The hold short markings were faded and hard to see. 2) I do not recall being told to hold short of any runway. 3) No hold position signs were installed. 4) There is disagreement on where Taxiway B goes after Taxiway C; between the state airport guide and the commercial chart (which we had) and the NOAA chart (which we did not). We should have asked ground earlier in reference to our taxi route.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.