B777 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 212; Flight Crew Total 15306; Flight Crew Type 8652
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Human Factors
After taxiing across runways 1L and 1R; we were instructed to hold short of Runway 28L. There was a line-up of departure aircraft for runways 1L and 1R; and a steady stream of arrivals for runway 28L and 28R. While we waited; holding short of Runway 28L; for approximately 15 minutes; a single controller was handling all arrivals; departures; and hold short operations. She was task saturated; working hard to keep up with traffic; as evidenced by several late landing clearances; minimum spacing between arrivals and departures on intersecting runways; and difficulty getting aircraft to exit the active runways where she wanted. After waiting approximately 15 minutes; we were instructed to cross Runway 28L and hold short of Runway 28R. The interval with arrival traffic was minimal; so we read back clearance and started to taxi forward. At my request; copilot called to reconfirm clearance. Not receiving a reply and/or confirmation; we stopped the aircraft a few feet past the hold-short line. After a short delay; the Tower Controller advised that we were not cleared to cross Runway 28L. We immediately informed her that we were 'across the hold-short line' (by several feet); based on our previous clearance to cross 28L. No response was received. The aircraft on final approached landed; and we again informed the Tower Controller that we were past the hold-short line. At that time; the controller sent the aircraft on final around and cleared us to cross Runway 28L and hold short of Runway 28R. We departed shortly thereafter.
B777 Captain reported a runway incursion at SFO when they misunderstood a taxi clearance.