Narrative:

We were number one for departure from the runway xxc on the west side of the runway and inadvertently read back a line up and wait clearance for another aircraft. As we approached the end of the runway; the captain called out; 'I see a sign with xxc.' I responded that I concurred. An air carrier flight was in front of us; and as it was cleared for take-off; we pulled up to the hold short line and stopped. We were the only aircraft in the number one position at the end of the runway; there was nobody across the runway waiting to depart from the east side; just us and a few aircraft behind us; and xxc was not being used for landings; just departures. As I was completing the runway identification process; in accordance with the operations manual I absolutely believed I heard tower clear us to line up and wait runway xxc and I read back the clearance on the tower's frequency. The captain called for the line-up checklist and started to advance the thrust levers. As the nose of the aircraft crossed the hold short line somebody transmitted on the tower frequency and said 'who's taking the runway?' this immediately raised a red flag; and before I could say anything; the captain brought the aircraft to an abrupt stop. We were barely across the hold short line; and nowhere near the runway edge when I believe the tower said something to the effect of 'whose number one at xxc?' I replied with our flight number and stated; 'you cleared us to line up and wait on xxc.' the tower controller replied; 'actually; I cleared another flight (behind us) to line up and wait on xxc; but if you're number one for the runway line up and wait; runway xxc.' once again; I read back the clearance; 'line up and wait runway xxc; [flight number].' we taxied into position on runway xxc and upon being cleared for take-off from runway xxc; completed the line-up checklist and departed uneventfully. In retrospect; expectation bias was clearly in play. Beyond that; I absolutely believed I heard our call sign being cleared to line up and wait; and did not consider the possibility that the tower had inadvertently cleared the aircraft behind us to line up and wait. Interestingly; both of us were positive that the clearance was for us; so checking with the other pilot would not have yielded a different result; except that maybe we would have heard the aircraft behind us query the tower since they were number two. In the words of the captain; this was a wake-up call for both of us to ensure we are more alert to all clearances and transmissions on the frequency.bottom line; I made a mistake; and erroneously responded to another aircraft's clearance. Clearly; I need to either stop running checklists; and complying with procedures; and listen to the radio every time a transmission occurs; or do a better job of dividing my attention between listening to the radio and performing my operational duties. Aviate; navigate and communicate.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A CRJ-90 flight crew suffered a runway incursion when they responded to a LUAW clearance intended for an aircraft behind them.

Narrative: We were number one for departure from the Runway XXC on the west side of the runway and inadvertently read back a line up and wait clearance for another aircraft. As we approached the end of the runway; the Captain called out; 'I see a sign with XXC.' I responded that I concurred. An air carrier flight was in front of us; and as it was cleared for take-off; we pulled up to the hold short line and stopped. We were the only aircraft in the number one position at the end of the runway; there was nobody across the runway waiting to depart from the east side; just us and a few aircraft behind us; and XXC was not being used for landings; just departures. As I was completing the runway identification process; in accordance with the Operations Manual I absolutely believed I heard Tower clear us to line up and wait Runway XXC and I read back the clearance on the Tower's frequency. The Captain called for the line-up checklist and started to advance the thrust levers. As the nose of the aircraft crossed the hold short line somebody transmitted on the Tower frequency and said 'who's taking the runway?' This immediately raised a red flag; and before I could say anything; the Captain brought the aircraft to an abrupt stop. We were barely across the hold short line; and nowhere near the runway edge when I believe the Tower said something to the effect of 'Whose number one at XXC?' I replied with our flight number and stated; 'You cleared us to line up and wait on XXC.' The Tower Controller replied; 'Actually; I cleared another flight (behind us) to line up and wait on XXC; but if you're number one for the runway line up and wait; Runway XXC.' Once again; I read back the clearance; 'Line up and wait Runway XXC; [flight number].' We taxied into position on Runway XXC and upon being cleared for take-off from Runway XXC; completed the Line-Up checklist and departed uneventfully. In retrospect; expectation bias was clearly in play. Beyond that; I absolutely believed I heard our call sign being cleared to line up and wait; and did not consider the possibility that the Tower had inadvertently cleared the aircraft behind us to line up and wait. Interestingly; both of us were positive that the clearance was for us; so checking with the other pilot would not have yielded a different result; except that maybe we would have heard the aircraft behind us query the Tower since they were number two. In the words of the Captain; this was a wake-up call for both of us to ensure we are more alert to all clearances and transmissions on the frequency.Bottom line; I made a mistake; and erroneously responded to another aircraft's clearance. Clearly; I need to either stop running checklists; and complying with procedures; and listen to the radio every time a transmission occurs; or do a better job of dividing my attention between listening to the radio and performing my operational duties. Aviate; navigate and communicate.

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.