An air carrier crew turned on to the 'old E-8 Taxiway' off of LAX Runway 6L because the E-8 sign on Runway 6L was just prior to ground markings which were highlighted in wet night conditions and mistaken for the current E-8 which is about 200' east.
Synopsis
An air carrier crew turned on to the 'old E-8 Taxiway' off of LAX Runway 6L because the E-8 sign on Runway 6L was just prior to ground markings which were highlighted in wet night conditions and mistaken for the current E-8 which is about 200' east.
Narrative
After a standard visual landing on Runway 6L at LAX we exited the runway onto Taxiway W as directed. We were then directed to hold short of runway 6R. Then we were given the taxi instruction to taxi east on Runway 6R and exit at Taxiway E8. Approaching the end of the runway I noted a taxiway sign E8 and a taxiway arrow for E8. Then we were following a taxiway lead off line. There was water on the runway which made it impossible to see any painted markings and the edge and centerline lights were incredibly bright and there were no taxiway lead off lights. I didn't realize we were not on a taxiway until our nose was there and then the Tower Controller advised us of our situation. The Tower called out a car to verify our aircraft could turn out of the closed taxiway. We were able to turn out and continue to Taxiway V and exit to the Ground Controller. While holding for the car to verify our position the tower described our position to the ground car as 'the old taxiway E8.' There had been a removal of the taxiway lead off line; however the markings in the cement remained different than the surrounding cement surfaces. There was also a taxiway sign directed toward the South that made it difficult to determine the taxiway location. There was water on the runway which made it impossible to see any painted markings and the edge and centerline lights were incredibly bright and there were no taxiway lead off lights.
Second reporter narrative
We landed on 6L in LAX and taxied clear at taxiway W. We were given instructions to taxi east on runway 6R and exit at E8. I turned off the runway about 100 feet west of the taxiway. As I slowed to make the turn I asked my First Officer 'Is this it?' She said yes; and I made the turn too early. Ground Control told us to stop and we did but with the front half of the aircraft off the runway. Ground Control allowed us to turn back onto the runway and continue the taxi after we and an airport operations vehicle determined we had the room to do so. We taxied to the gate without further incident. We were taxiing on a runway that is rarely used in LAX operations; so there was a little unfamiliarity with the environment. As we approached the E8 intersection we saw two signs that read 'E8' one was about 200 feet west of the other. That was confusing so I slowed and said 'is this it?' It was dark and the pavement was wet and backlit from the terminal lights making it very difficult to see markings on the ground. I could see no color on the ground as I looked for the lead off line or the taxiway center line. With the wet ground and terminal lights; all I could see was contrast between painted and unpainted pavement. The line I thought I saw was the old one that they had sandblasted away; but with the environmental conditions I explained earlier this sandblasted line looked to be a painted taxiway centerline. And the signs in different locations appears to be because they moved the intersection but only one of the signs.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.