Flight Crew Last 90 Days 260; Flight Crew Total 10000; Flight Crew Type 3000
Situational Awareness; Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Workload
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Environment - Non Weather Related; Chart Or Publication; Human Factors
Upon exiting the Terminal C Ramp area on Taxiway B at Intersection K; we were instructed to taxi to Runway 4L via Taxiway B to D; giving way to a B757 exiting at Taxiway S. As we came around the corner on Taxiway B; we mistakenly veered onto Taxiway S which angles off to the right and parallels Taxiway A and B; we thought we were on Taxiway B. About the time we realized it; Ground told us to rejoin B at G. No further mention was made; and the remainder of flight operations remained normal. This intersection is poorly designed and the lighting at Intersection B/S should be designated as a hot spot.
The Reporter stated that the crew had great difficulty at the intersection of B; S and D determining exactly which taxiway they were on. They had begun their taxi at Terminal Charlie and were cleared to Runway 4 but progressing around the corner they lost situational awareness and could not clearly determine from the chart or taxiway signs where they were to transition to B. The Reporter suggests a hot spot on the airport diagram so that crews will look closely at the chart in that area.
A pilot reported that while taxiing to Runway 4L from Terminal C on Taxiway B at the B; S and D intersection he mistakenly entered Taxiway S because of poor signage and a confusing airport diagram.