Narrative:

After completing the taxi checklist we were given the following taxi clearance from ground control at phl 'taxi to runway 9L K3 K'. After completing the before takeoff checklist and approaching K/K5 intersection we switched to the tower frequency and were given takeoff clearance for 9L. I called for the lineup checklist as we approached K/K6 area. I taxied just passed K6 thinking the entry to the runway was still in front of us. When I noticed that we missed the entry for the runway I ask the first officer to tell the tower that we taxied pass the entry point for the runway. Tower controller canceled our takeoff clearance and gave us the following clearance 'taxi K left turn Y left turn P left turn west hold short runway 9L.' while taxiing tower said that a lot of aircraft did what we did and ask what the reason was for missing the entry to the runway. We said it was dark and the K taxi lights continued past the entry at K6 and the threshold lights appeared to suggest the entry was still in front of us. We were the only aircraft in the area and no other aircraft were affected by our mistake. We were given a takeoff clearance as we approached the hold short line and took off with no other problems. I had my airport diagram out and I consulted it before we taxied out of the ramp. While on taxiway K following the taxi lights looking for the entry point to runway 9L and finishing the before takeoff checklist; I became a little distracted with the taxi lights continuing past K6. The area was dark due to the color of the pavement and being dark I went just past K6. I could have made a 180 and joined K6 again but decided to tell tower of my mistake. Also the K6 area is a high speed exit for landing on runway 27R which can lead one just past the entry point. Better entry lighting could be beneficial in my opinion.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An air Carrier crew on Taxiway K taxied beyond K6; the last entry to PHL Runway 9L; because in darkness the K taxi lights continue beyond K6 creating the perception that the runway threshold lights are the runway's end.

Narrative: After completing the TAXI checklist we were given the following taxi clearance from Ground Control at PHL 'taxi to Runway 9L K3 K'. After completing the BEFORE TAKEOFF checklist and approaching K/K5 Intersection we switched to the Tower Frequency and were given takeoff clearance for 9L. I called for the LINEUP checklist as we approached K/K6 area. I taxied just passed K6 thinking the entry to the runway was still in front of us. When I noticed that we missed the entry for the runway I ask the First Officer to tell the Tower that we taxied pass the entry point for the runway. Tower Controller canceled our takeoff clearance and gave us the following clearance 'taxi K left turn Y left turn P left turn W hold short Runway 9L.' While taxiing Tower said that a lot of aircraft did what we did and ask what the reason was for missing the entry to the runway. We said it was dark and the K taxi lights continued past the entry at K6 and the threshold lights appeared to suggest the entry was still in front of us. We were the only aircraft in the area and no other aircraft were affected by our mistake. We were given a takeoff clearance as we approached the hold short line and took off with no other problems. I had my airport diagram out and I consulted it before we taxied out of the ramp. While on Taxiway K following the taxi lights looking for the entry point to Runway 9L and finishing the BEFORE TAKEOFF checklist; I became a little distracted with the taxi lights continuing past K6. The area was dark due to the color of the pavement and being dark I went just past K6. I could have made a 180 and joined K6 again but decided to tell Tower of my mistake. Also the K6 area is a high speed exit for landing on Runway 27R which can lead one just past the entry point. Better entry lighting could be beneficial in my opinion.

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.