Maintenance crew reported a taxiway excursion while positioning the aircraft from the gate to the company's hanger. Maintenance reported poor weather; heavy snow and a slick runway and taxiways.
Synopsis
Maintenance crew reported a taxiway excursion while positioning the aircraft from the gate to the company's hanger. Maintenance reported poor weather; heavy snow and a slick runway and taxiways.
Narrative
On Day 0 at approximately XA30 we were pushed back from Gate X at ZZZ in Aircraft X to taxi to the Maintenance hangar. It had been snowing heavily and blowing the whole day. I had taxied another aircraft to the gate earlier in the day without incident; but conditions had deteriorated further since that time. I was in the left seat. Our initial taxi instructions were [Taxiways] 1-2-3; crossing Runway X to [Taxiway] 4; but were amended to [Taxiways] 1-5; back taxi on Runway X to [Taxiway] 4. Runway X had been plowed down the middle but there was snowplow accumulation at the intersection of [Taxiway] 5 and Runway X; and also at the intersection of Runway X and [Taxiway] 4. I was braking to keep my speed down on the runway; but as we approached [Taxiway] 4 and I began to brake for the turn we slid past 4. I was not comfortable with trying to turn around there and asked Tower for permission to continue to the end of Runway X and turn off at [Taxiway] 6 and go back up [Taxiway] 2. The yellow taxi lines were not visible as we began the turn from 6 to 2; and as we got into the turn we began to slide to the left edge of 2. There was no braking action so I attempted to use left throttle to turn us back toward the center with no help; and we slid off the edge. I made one unsuccessful attempt to power out; then immediately notified the Tower and called the hangar.Suggestions: Better awareness of conditions and extra care while taxiing.
Second reporter narrative
We were heading to pick up Aircraft XXX from Gate X at around XA:00. It took us awhile to get there; due to weather conditions; and were not pushed off the gate until about XA:30 approx. I was in the right seat and Person A was in the left seat. I talked with ATC Tower and received the following taxi instructions: Taxi via 1; back-taxi Runway X to [Taxiway] 2. The runway was pretty snow drifted/covered at the intersections and edges; but we were able to continue back taxing at a safe rate of speed. However; we were unable to stop in time to make on safe turn onto 2 due to conditions with brakes applied. We communicated with Tower to get clearance to continue to the end of Runway X; turn on [Taxiways] 3; to 4; to 5 and back to 2. However; when turning from 3 onto 4; we began to slide. Person A applied left throttle; but it did not help as we began to slide sideways to the east side of Taxiway 4. Once stationary; we left engines running for a time before shutting down 2 engine a short while later.I think having better emergency procedures and/or training scenarios for taxing in case of slippery conditions. I don't remember any training specifically regarding a slide. Otherwise; when there are winter warnings in affect; a crew taxi or even towing it may be preferred methods.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.