Narrative:

Following overnight maintenance; we (mechanic X and I) began taxi in a crj-200 early morning. We were instructed by tower to taxi lima hold short of runway 4. Due to unspecified direction by ground; we turned left on lima to hold short of runway 4 on sierra taxiway which crosses runway 17-35. Upon crossing the threshold of runway 17-35; tower called and asked if we were holding short of 4 on lima which is when I realized he wanted us to take the right turn out of the ramp. By that time we had crossed 35 and were instructed to continue taxi on mike; hold short of 30 left and proceed to the gate. Upon crossing [runway] 35; when we looked right; another aircraft was approximately 5 miles out on approach. After arriving at the gate and returning to the offices; we have yet to hear anything about the situation. The tower had asked us if we were holding short of 4 on lima as we were crossing runway 35; which is when we realized a mistake had taken place. There was a lack of communication between the tower and us. We could have called back and asked for specific directions; but often times during night operations they aren't specific to which way they go; provided their instructions are followed. Had they told us to lima; lima 4; hold short 35 or lima hold short 35 we would have better been able to understand the direction they wanted us to take. On our part; we could have asked which way they intended for us to go and we failed to look to see if we were clear before crossing this time. Better communication as far as specifically which path they wanted us to take and if in doubt ask for further directions. Also make sure company procedures for taxiing are followed.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An Inspector and Mechanic report on their misunderstanding of directions from local Ground Control while taxiing a CRJ-200 from the Hangar to their gate. The event resulted in a runway and taxiway incursion.

Narrative: Following overnight Maintenance; we (Mechanic X and I) began taxi in a CRJ-200 early morning. We were instructed by Tower to taxi Lima hold short of Runway 4. Due to unspecified direction by Ground; we turned left on Lima to hold short of runway 4 on Sierra taxiway which crosses runway 17-35. Upon crossing the threshold of runway 17-35; Tower called and asked if we were holding short of 4 on Lima which is when I realized he wanted us to take the right turn out of the Ramp. By that time we had crossed 35 and were instructed to continue taxi on Mike; hold short of 30 left and proceed to the gate. Upon crossing [runway] 35; when we looked right; another aircraft was approximately 5 miles out on approach. After arriving at the gate and returning to the offices; we have yet to hear anything about the situation. The Tower had asked us if we were holding short of 4 on Lima as we were crossing runway 35; which is when we realized a mistake had taken place. There was a lack of communication between the Tower and us. We could have called back and asked for specific directions; but often times during night operations they aren't specific to which way they go; provided their instructions are followed. Had they told us to Lima; Lima 4; Hold short 35 or Lima hold short 35 we would have better been able to understand the direction they wanted us to take. On our part; we could have asked which way they intended for us to go and we failed to look to see if we were clear before crossing this time. Better communication as far as specifically which path they wanted us to take and if in doubt ask for further directions. Also make sure company procedures for taxiing are followed.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.