Narrative:

During taxi for takeoff for ramp via taxiway D and G to runway 4 (active), pilots became confused and mistook runway 17/35 as runway 4/22 subsequently crossing the approach end of runway 4/22 on taxiway G. Signage prior to the approach/hold short line for runway 4 on taxiway G indicated both runway 17/35 and 4/22 which did not clear up on correcting the confusion. Flight was able to turn around at runway 35 run-up pad and return for takeoff runway 4 via taxiway G per tower instructions. Recommend a signage change on taxiway G when approaching runway 4 from the north on G to clear-up any confusion. Callback conversation with reporter revealed the following information: the captain called the tower supervisor after landing. In discussion with him he indicates that this is a problem area on the airport. Many other aircraft have had runway incursions at this point. The reporter states both crew members had the airport plate page out for reference, and they were still confused as to their exact location in relation to the cleared runway. He said there is a lot going on at this time, in the cockpit. Checklists, talking to tower, and advising the flight attendant that takeoff is about to occur.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: MD88 CREW HAD A RWY INCURSION OF RWY 4-22 AT HOU.

Narrative: DURING TAXI FOR TKOF FOR RAMP VIA TXWY D AND G TO RWY 4 (ACTIVE), PLTS BECAME CONFUSED AND MISTOOK RWY 17/35 AS RWY 4/22 SUBSEQUENTLY XING THE APCH END OF RWY 4/22 ON TXWY G. SIGNAGE PRIOR TO THE APCH/HOLD SHORT LINE FOR RWY 4 ON TXWY G INDICATED BOTH RWY 17/35 AND 4/22 WHICH DID NOT CLEAR UP ON CORRECTING THE CONFUSION. FLT WAS ABLE TO TURN AROUND AT RWY 35 RUN-UP PAD AND RETURN FOR TKOF RWY 4 VIA TXWY G PER TWR INSTRUCTIONS. RECOMMEND A SIGNAGE CHANGE ON TXWY G WHEN APCHING RWY 4 FROM THE N ON G TO CLEAR-UP ANY CONFUSION. CALLBACK CONVERSATION WITH RPTR REVEALED THE FOLLOWING INFO: THE CAPT CALLED THE TWR SUPVR AFTER LNDG. IN DISCUSSION WITH HIM HE INDICATES THAT THIS IS A PROB AREA ON THE ARPT. MANY OTHER ACFT HAVE HAD RWY INCURSIONS AT THIS POINT. THE RPTR STATES BOTH CREW MEMBERS HAD THE ARPT PLATE PAGE OUT FOR REFERENCE, AND THEY WERE STILL CONFUSED AS TO THEIR EXACT LOCATION IN RELATION TO THE CLEARED RWY. HE SAID THERE IS A LOT GOING ON AT THIS TIME, IN THE COCKPIT. CHKLISTS, TALKING TO TWR, AND ADVISING THE FA THAT TKOF IS ABOUT TO OCCUR.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 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.