A319 flight crew reported a loss of aircraft control during taxi in to the gate due to the parking brake getting stuck and not releasing.
Synopsis
A319 flight crew reported a loss of aircraft control during taxi in to the gate due to the parking brake getting stuck and not releasing.
Narrative
Delayed reporting after Captain submitted [report]. Realized I should submit [a report] as well. Normal arrival into ZZZ. Snowstorm the previous night and into the morning. Ground taxi behind Aircraft Y with Captain riding the brakes. Taxiways with some snow and ice. Captain called for #2 engine shutdown. After arriving near the gate and lined up for a straight-in taxi; Captain set the parking brake; waiting for Ground crew to guide us in for the remaining 100 yards to the gate. Once directed by Ground crew; Captain released the parking brake and began to add power. No movement was noted and the Captain added more power; thinking that there was snow or ice preventing us from moving. I looked to checked that the parking brake was released and no message was displayed. I then looked at the pressure gauge and saw the needles pegged at 3000 psi; but was unable to recognize the discrepancy before the plane broke free with the asymmetric thrust and skidded in a 150-degree right hand turn. Once stopped; we confirmed that the needles were at 3000 psi with the brakes released. The Captain cycled the parking brake and the pressure returned to normal. With Ramp coordination; we continued our right-hand turn and returned to the gate normally. The brake issue was not reported via maintenance report since indications had return to normal. Follow-on flight crew was at the gate and we gave a verbal report of what happened with the brakes.
Second reporter narrative
We landed ZZZ XXR and taxied to the gate. We were waiting for the Ramp guys to marshal us in. We were pointed south with the right engine shut down; parking brake set. When they eventually showed up; I released the brake and added a bit of thrust to taxi in but the aircraft did not move. I assumed we had some ice and frozen clutter possibly stuck to the brake so I kept increasing thrust to get the aircraft to move. I am not sure how much thrust we had when the aircraft suddenly pivoted about 150 degrees to the right. I immediately retarded the throttle and selected full brakes. Ramp inquired why we made the turn. After we were cleared to continue the turn to taxi to the gate; we noticed that the park brake appeared to be stuck. Brakes released and indicated 3;000 psi. I cycled the brake a few times and when it showed normal indication; we continued in to the gate for an uneventful parking. I did not do a maintenance write-up as I believed this was the result of frozen clutter. I did inform the new Captain of what had happened. The pivot was sudden but it was not violent. We literally slid across an icy ramp. Very smooth.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.