Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Total 7000; Flight Crew Type 3000
Distraction; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
We were cleared to taxi via Charlie onto Runway XX and hold short of Runway YY. We taxied onto Runway XX took a left and I said clear left after I saw company taxi across Runway YY; and my co-pilot said 'watch out for the guy on the right!' I saw a Cirrus approaching Runway YY and slammed on the brakes. I heard my Lead Flight Attendant let out a yelp and lifted off the brakes after I heard her scream and crash into the flight deck door.As I let off the brakes the Cirrus was 100 FT above us and well beyond the nose of our airplane. I mistakenly crossed over onto Runway YY. I saw no more danger so I continued to cross so I would not be in the middle of the runway. We stopped after that and contacted ground who told us to write down a phone number and contact Tower at our destination. We landed in [the airport] and I made the phone call immediately to Tower. I talked to a very nice gentlemen who said he wished he could handle this in house but it he would have to pass it along to regional office and then to the FSDO. I told him I was in the wrong and accept full responsibility. He said 'unfortunately these things happen.' I then contacted both chief pilots.
I believe both the Captain and I had become accustomed to having the same taxi instructions for the past five days in a row. To the best of my knowledge; we are routinely cleared for that taxi route without holding short at Runway YY. I think that we got too relaxed in the comfortable environment and failed to verify with each other our complete taxi instructions at every intersection. Slowing down and verbal verification between the Captain and First Officer of runway crossing/hold short instructions are undoubtedly key. Also; to always review written down taxi instructions at each and every runway or taxiway intersection prior to entering that runway/taxiway.
While taxiing on intersecting runways for takeoff; an MD-83 flight crew experienced a close encounter with a Cirrus on final to a runway they had been cleared to hold short of. Fatigue induced complacency and familiarity were cited as contributing factors.