A B757-200 Captain reported a discrepancy between the airport signage and the commercially provided airport page for Taxiways S at SFO. Noting; specifically; that two independent taxiway entrances to Runway 10L are identified as S.

Date: 2011-11 · Aircraft: B757-200 · Phase: taxi

Anomalies: deviation-discrepancy-procedural-clearance|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy

Synopsis

A B757-200 Captain reported a discrepancy between the airport signage and the commercially provided airport page for Taxiways S at SFO. Noting; specifically; that two independent taxiway entrances to Runway 10L are identified as S.

Narrative

SFO was departing Runways 10 and arriving Runways 19. Our taxi clearance was to Runway 10L via A; B1; Z; S2 [and S].Problem 1; the airport diagram; going from Z to S2 to the departure end of 10L has 2 different taxiways labeled S. The end taxi way and the next intersection are both labeled Taxiway S on the commercial airport diagram. However; the airport signage is different and I think is correct. The end taxiway on the west side departure end of 10L is labeled S2. The next taxiway about 30 yards down is labeled Taxiway S.The airport page needs to be fixed in the commercial chart.Problem 2; the taxiway is not designed for a turn from Taxiway S2 to the departure end of 10L. It is about a 120 degree turn and is not long enough or marked so a plane as long as a 757 can make the turn without departing the marked taxi surface or deviating from the taxiway centerline. The SFO Ground taxi clearance was to the end taxi intersection marked on the diagram as S; but airport markings; S2. We told the Tower that we could not make the turn; but we could take the next Taxiway S. We also watched a 757 in front of us attempt the turn from S2 to S2 at the end and depart the marked surface; even after deviating from the taxi centerline.Corrective actions: 1) Fix the airport diagram. 2) Either re-mark the taxi surface and taxi lines for S2 to S2; 10L west side departure end. And; in the interim; do not give the taxi clearance or depart planes from the end of 10L from the west side.

NASA callback

The reporter added that the performance data for departures from Runway 10L are predicated on entering the runway from the easternmost of the two Sierra Taxiways and; thus; it is not technically necessary for aircraft entering from the easternmost Sierra to back track and reverse course to be 'legal' for takeoff. He also advised his company and airport Management have been engaged in discussions on the signage and charting issues involved and anticipate corrective action to be taken in the coming month.

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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.