2011-10 · NASA ASRS report 974539
A closed runway and a change in departure/arrival directions resulted in confusion between Ground Control and an air carrier flight crew and contributed to a taxiway incursion.
During push; the airport went to west flow with XXL closed. Ground Control's clearance was; 'pushback approved tail east for XXL.' When we were ready for taxi; the First Officer called Ground and the Controller issued taxi clearance to XXL. Seeing the big flashing 'X' on the runway; we queried the Controller to 'Confirm XXL.' He realized the repeated error and gave taxi instructions to XXR and said 'I'm sorry I keep saying that; taxi to XXR.' We began the taxi out and prior to crossing XXL; I asked the First Officer if we were cleared to cross? His response was 'yes.' We taxied across the approach end of XXL; which was closed and held short of XXR. Crossing XXL; we switched to Tower who advised that 'in the future; even though the runway is closed; make sure you get clearance to cross.' We thought we had clearance to cross. The lesson I learned was; don't just ask the First Officer and assume he knows. Have him query ATC for clarification. Had XXL been open; I would have done that but because it was a closed runway I didn't.
ATC then revised the taxi instructions to taxi ECHO; E-7; and Runway XXR. We mistakenly crossed the closed Runway XXL at Taxiway VICTOR instead of Taxiway E7.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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