2011-06 · NASA ASRS report 956310
Two Line Mechanics taxiing a CRJ-900 from hangar to a gate terminal; report about confusion ensuing between themselves and ATC/Ground Control after taxi instruction changes.
Mechanic Y and I were taxing a CRJ-900 aircraft from the hangar to the gate. Mechanic Y was in the left seat in control of the aircraft; I was sitting right seat running radios. We completed the Checklist per Company Run/Taxi book prior to starting to taxi. I called [Gate Control] to initiate taxi then switched to Ground Control 121.9 as directed. Once listening to Ground; we were told to hold short of 35. Before I called back; he amended those instructions and said turn left on Lima to November; hold short of 35. We were then told to change frequencies to 126.7 while holding at 35. We had radios with 126.7 on Comm-1 and 123.67 on Comm-2. While waiting; ATC [Ground Control] called with instructions; I was late repeating and ATC instructed us to wait before I could call back. When he called back he instructed Taxi 4; hold short 35. Mechanic Y called back 'Taxi [Runway] 4; hold short 30-Right'. ATC did not call back with a correction. We looked left and right; no planes were on approach. We called 'clear left'; 'clear right' and taxied across 35 on November; turned left on 4 and taxied to 30-Right where we held short. We then continued to the gate as instructed. When we got to taxiway Quebec; almost to the gate; ATC called with a phone number to call the Tower who told us of the incident. I miss-typed; it should read 30-Left instead of 30-Right. ATC started with us taking one route to the gate; he then changed the route which confused us and ATC. ATC thought we were on Runway 4; but they had sent us on November. While waiting to cross Runway 35; we changed frequencies; the misinformation was somehow passed between Ground Controllers. Since I am new to taxiing; I was not as fast to respond to ATC which caused confusion when he told us to wait; instead of letting me call back as normal. Mechanic Y called ATC back; [to verify] we get told to wait again; when he; Mechanic Y; had called back with incorrect directions [to ATC]; ATC should have listened and corrected him. It also would make no sense to be told to taxi and hold short of a runway we were already holding short of. When we gave the incorrect callback [to ATC] we should have been notified right away. Slowing down of communications and speaking clearly so both parties can understand.
Mechanic X and I were taxing a CRJ-900 aircraft to the gate from the hangar. I was sitting left seat and Mechanic X was on the radios. Went thru our Checklist and had Mechanic X call to taxi; Tower [Ground Control] came back and said Lima; Lima 4; hold short of 35 at 4. Mechanic X did not answer right away so the Tower came back and said to amend that and take a left on Lima to November hold short on 35. While holding short; Tower said to switch frequency to 126.7. I thought [wait]; I was not hearing any communication on that frequency so I put Comm-2 on 123.67 and I was trying to figure out what frequency we were to be on; when the Tower came on and said to cross runway; proceed November; Runway 4 hold short of 35. By the time he said hold short of 35; I was already moving; I thought he meant hold short of 12R. When I reached Runway 4; Tower came on and said to continue 4 hold short of 30R. Tower amended our route and I think he thought we were at Lima-4 on Runway-4 holding short of 35; but we were on Lima at November; holding short of 35. Suggest Tower to slow down on communication.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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