Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 5; Flight Crew Total 530; Flight Crew Type 120
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
I was taxiing from old T hangars (opposite side of runway from main terminal and new hangars) to departure end of Runway 30 at BCB. Before crossing the active I stopped on Bravo and called UNICOM for a radio check and received a garbled reply. I assumed this was UNICOM speaking. I thanked UNICOM for the radio check and wished the person a good day. The person replied 'Thanks.' (My passenger confirmed that this was what UNICOM said.) Next; before crossing 30; I continued to hold in the same spot prior to a construction-related steel plate on the taxiway. This plate lies before the official hold-short line on taxiway Bravo. I looked to my left to see if any aircraft was on 30 - from radio chatter I knew that an aircraft was on left downwind for 30. Next; seeing no aircraft on 30; I announced on UNICOM my intention to cross 30 at Bravo and engaged the throttle. After advancing onto the runway; both I and my passenger saw at the same time a low-wing aircraft beginning its takeoff roll on 30. This aircraft was white or light gray and blended in with the terrain in the background. As it was daytime; there were no lights visible on this aircraft. I added throttle and quickly finished crossing 30 at Bravo. As I finished crossing 30 the departing aircraft rotated prior to mid-runway. When the departing aircraft passed the Bravo area of 30 I was on the taxiway and off of 30.
C172 pilot reported a ground conflict at the non-towered BCB airport; with a light aircraft taking off on the same runway they were crossing.