Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 129; Flight Crew Total 9674; Flight Crew Type 6114
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
Icing; rain 5sm Brkn 007; OVC 012. Night operations poor visibility. Normal approach; normal landing. ILS 4R. Exited RWY P4. Tower clearance 'TAXI P; Y; Cleared to cross 4L Contact Ramp' Poor visibility with icing; and rain; when clear of 4L; First Officer contacted Ramp; Captain remained with Ground (Split radios). Confusing taxi instructions from ramp 'RK' Captain turned right at Taxiway R from Y and in error crossed Runway 11/29 on R; cleared runway turned left on Z stopped aircraft at Z and S. Captain set brakes and confirmed with crew that we were in the wrong position; ensured Pilot Flying and Pilot Monitoring on same frequency. First Officer called Ground to identify position and get additional taxi instructions. Ground cleared us to 'taxi Z; U; RK cleared to cross runway 11/29 contact ramp.' After discussion and confirmation we taxied to [the gate] without further incident. Crew fully debriefed at the gate.Contributing factors: Poor communications in understanding Ramp Clearance (split radios) Captain on Ground; First Officer on Ramp; night time Winter Ops (with poor visibility icing; rain and mist); need additional taxiway signage in that area (very confusing low visibility); long crew day.
B767 Captain reported a taxiway incursion at EWR airport.