Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 154; Flight Crew Total 14976; Flight Crew Type 563
Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Runway
Airport; Procedure; Human Factors
Taxiing out of EWR to Runway 22R; our instructions were to taxi 'Bravo; right on Juliet; cross Runway 22R; left on Papa; hold short of Runway 29 for landing traffic.' We complied with all. As we approached Runway 29; the Controller told us 'cross Runway 29; hold short of Runway 22R at Z'; noting HS1 (Hot Spot). As we crossed Runway 22R we all recognized the lack of room to clear Runway 29; and turn the airplane to hold short. The Controller then told us 'taxi into position and hold Runway 22R; hold short of Runway 29; landing traffic. Again; we realized there was very little room for this. As I made the left turn into Runway 22R; I noticed yellow chevrons with a solid yellow line a few feet ahead. Upon straightening the aircraft on the centerline; we all lost sight of the solid yellow line but I firmly believe the aircraft was short of this line; complying with ATC's instructions. I set the parking brake and an aircraft landed on Runway 29. Although we were short of Runway 29 as we waited for takeoff clearance; the landing aircraft's wing and our aircraft nose appeared close. In hindsight; and after briefing with the crew; we all agreed that we should have been more concerned with accepting the clearance to 'position and hold' based on the length available to us to hold short; as well as the length and turning radius of our aircraft.
EWR Ground had us cross Runway 22R at J; then taxi via P. Ground had us cross Runway 29 (in use for landing); then Z 'lineup and wait Runway 22R; short of Runway 29'. As we taxied into position; I realized we could not fit in position and hold short of 29. I asked the Captain if they were holding short. They stopped the aircraft. I could not see the 29 hold short line over the nose; but the Captain did think we were still short.
Air carrier flight crew reported runway incursion following Air Traffic Control instructions.