Falcon 7X
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Engineer; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200; Flight Crew Total 25500; Flight Crew Type 1000
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Excursion Taxiway
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Human Factors
We landed on Runway 25L at Hong Kong Airport and were slowing to taxi speed as we passed the turnoff for Taxiway K4/J6. The Tower Controller instructed us to turn left onto Taxiway K3. Since we had just landed and were on an active runway we did not have time to refer to the airport taxi diagram so we relied on his guidance. There was a sign reading K3 immediately BEFORE the next turnoff but the turn onto the taxiway required a left turn well in excess of 90 degrees. We assumed that since we were still on the runway the Tower Controller wanted us to expedite vacating the runway. We stopped on the runway prior to making the turn and asked the Controller 'Confirm you want us to take the Reverse Hi-Speed taxiway?' His reply did not answer our question but he merely repeated 'Turn left onto Taxiway K3.' Since the sign immediately before the roadway/taxiway in front of us on our left appeared to be labeled K3; we made the sharp left turn onto what we believed was K3. When we were between the runway and the parallel taxiway (Taxiway K) the Tower Controller informed us 'that is not K3.' We apologized for not understanding his instructions. He replied saying 'that's OK that is not a problem; continue to K; turn right and contact Ground.'Several comments to add relative to this situation:1. The sign labeled K3 is immediately BEFORE the roadway onto which we turned.2. We brought the aircraft to a full stop on the runway and asked the Tower to confirm he wanted us to turn onto the reverse taxiway/roadway. We assumed he wanted us to vacate the runway as soon as able so we did not delay exiting the runway any further.3. It was in the early evening with an overcast sky. The lighting conditions were not ideal and the runway and taxiway guidance lights had not yet been turned on. Had those lights been illuminated the correct turn would have been readily apparent.4. The actual turnoff for Taxiway K3 was several hundred feet beyond the K3 sign and roadway.5. The roadway was wider than many taxiways at US non-commercial airports where most private aircraft operate so the roadway could be mistaken as being a suitable taxiway for smaller aircraft.6. The Taxiway K3 sign should be repositioned BEYOND the roadway and closer to the actual taxiway to avoid any possible confusion.
After landing on Runway 25L at VHHH and asked to turn off at K3 the Captain of a Falcon 7X mistook a roadway prior to K3 but intersecting the runway as the exit. Fortunately; the roadway was of adequate width and also intersected with parallel Taxiway K so they were able to continue their initial taxi to K.