Narrative:

While clearing runway 1R at taxiway K4 our instruction was to taxi north bound on taxi K. This should have only been a 35 to 40 degree turn instead we turned approx 60 degree on to K3 taxing northeast towards active runway 1R. I noticed the K3 (black sign) on our right side. Looking at the airport diagram confirmed that indeed K3 should be on right side. Diligently scanning the taxi signs for confirmation that we were on K; but could not locate a sign. During this time we heard ground control urgently trying to contact a aircraft but there was no response from this aircraft. At this point; I could not confirm we were on taxiway K (though I was pretty sure we were) and there was an aircraft not responding to ground control. I commanded a halt to our taxi; until we could figure out for sure what was going on. After we had stopped; I contacted ground control and asked if they were trying to contact us. Ground control admitted that they were indeed trying to contact us and asked if we were stopped holding short of 1R. Looking at the airport diagram and outside immediately in front of us was the hold short line (covered in snow) for the runway with the runway 1R/19L sign partially obscured in snow. It was at this point that I was able to confirm with certainty where we were located and which direction we were going. Ground control asked if we could do a 180 degree turn without crossing the hold short line. Unfortunately; we could not do a 180 turn and remain on the payment and hold short at the same time; so we had to wait 10 minutes to get a taxi clearance to taxi onto 1R and clear immediately on taxiway K2 and then continue our taxi north bound on K to hold short of taxiway B and contact ramp control. The weather at the time was: 1/4 mile visibility surface vis 1/2 mile runway 1R RVR was 2500 feet; in snow. The ceiling was reported as 300' overcast; we saw the approach lights at 250' above the airport and the runway at 150 feet above. All surfaces were covered in snow. ATC reported earlier that 1R was closed for plowing; it was 100% covered in snow with faint tracks from previous landing aircraft. Because of the contaminated surface; the 11;000 foot runway; we were not in hurry to bring the aircraft to stop and because of this we cleared at taxi K4; all other aircraft were able to clear at K6. Because; we cleared at taxi K4 there was no tire tracks form the previous landing aircraft. The paved surfaces were covered in snow; occasionally a patch revealed a yellow line. All runway and taxi lights were not illuminated; but covered with snow; thus they were all white. Some taxi signs were obscured with snow. The fact that ground control was monitoring all ground traffic via transponders; prevented the runway incursion. Even though it was daylight ; turning the runway lights on would have melted the snow on the lights and provided us with clear indication of taxiways and runways; via color of the light. Unfortunately; K3 is extremely short approx 50 yards in length; it did not give us sufficient time to cross check aircraft heading with expected heading. The signage at the intersection of K3; K4 and K was minimal or mostly obscured with snow. As a crew the other thing that we should have done; was to come to complete stop after clearing at K4. After receiving the taxi clearance; both of us should have reviewed the taxi clearance noting the approximate angles of the turns and confirm the approx heading north bound on taxiway K.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: LR60 Flight Crew reports landing at IAD during a snow event on Runway 1R. They exit on K4 with instructions to taxi via K but inadvertently enter K3; stopping just prior to Runway 1R.

Narrative: While clearing Runway 1R at Taxiway K4 our instruction was to taxi north bound on Taxi K. This should have only been a 35 to 40 degree turn instead we turned approx 60 degree on to K3 taxing northeast towards active Runway 1R. I noticed the K3 (black sign) on our right side. Looking at the airport diagram confirmed that indeed K3 should be on right side. Diligently scanning the taxi signs for confirmation that we were on K; but could not locate a sign. During this time we heard Ground Control urgently trying to contact a aircraft but there was no response from this aircraft. At this point; I could not confirm we were on taxiway K (though I was pretty sure we were) and there was an aircraft not responding to Ground Control. I commanded a halt to our taxi; until we could figure out for sure what was going on. After we had stopped; I contacted ground control and asked if they were trying to contact us. Ground Control admitted that they were indeed trying to contact us and asked if we were stopped holding short of 1R. Looking at the airport diagram and outside immediately in front of us was the hold short line (covered in snow) for the runway with the Runway 1R/19L sign partially obscured in snow. It was at this point that I was able to confirm with certainty where we were located and which direction we were going. Ground Control asked if we could do a 180 degree turn without crossing the hold short line. Unfortunately; we could not do a 180 turn and remain on the payment and hold short at the same time; so we had to wait 10 minutes to get a taxi clearance to taxi onto 1R and clear immediately on Taxiway K2 and then continue our taxi north bound on K to hold short of Taxiway B and contact Ramp control. The weather at the time was: 1/4 mile visibility surface vis 1/2 mile RWY 1R RVR was 2500 feet; in snow. The ceiling was reported as 300' overcast; we saw the approach lights at 250' above the airport and the runway at 150 feet above. All surfaces were covered in snow. ATC reported earlier that 1R was closed for plowing; it was 100% covered in snow with faint tracks from previous landing aircraft. Because of the contaminated surface; the 11;000 foot runway; we were not in hurry to bring the aircraft to stop and because of this we cleared at taxi K4; all other aircraft were able to clear at K6. Because; we cleared at taxi K4 there was no tire tracks form the previous landing aircraft. The paved surfaces were covered in snow; occasionally a patch revealed a yellow line. All runway and taxi lights were not illuminated; but covered with snow; thus they were all white. Some taxi signs were obscured with snow. The fact that ground control was monitoring all ground traffic via Transponders; prevented the runway incursion. Even though it was daylight ; turning the runway lights on would have melted the snow on the lights and provided us with clear indication of taxiways and runways; via color of the light. Unfortunately; K3 is extremely short approx 50 yards in length; it did not give us sufficient time to cross check aircraft heading with expected heading. The signage at the intersection of K3; K4 and K was minimal or mostly obscured with snow. As a crew the other thing that we should have done; was to come to complete stop after clearing at K4. After receiving the taxi clearance; both of us should have reviewed the taxi clearance noting the approximate angles of the turns and confirm the approx heading north bound on Taxiway K.

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.