B737 flight crew reported almost colliding with an aircraft on a taxiway in front of them when exiting the runway due to breaking ineffectiveness issues. Crew was attempting to accommodate ATC instructions to exit further down the runway that placed them in an area where the taxiways were more contaminated resulting in loss of control of the aircraft.
Synopsis
B737 flight crew reported almost colliding with an aircraft on a taxiway in front of them when exiting the runway due to breaking ineffectiveness issues. Crew was attempting to accommodate ATC instructions to exit further down the runway that placed them in an area where the taxiways were more contaminated resulting in loss of control of the aircraft.
Narrative
Upon landing Runway XR; Pilot Flying (PF) (myself; Captain) applied manual breaking to attempt taxiway 1 exit. The aircraft started skidding so brakes were then released and modulated for a safe turn off taxiway 2. ATC instructed us to turn off taxiway 3 instead; and with traffic on short final; I applied power to expedite. Approaching Taxiway 3; braking was again modulated as braking action was good/fair. I made the turn at approximately 9-10 kts but had to slow further as the nose wheel was losing traction. As we rolled on facing towards another aircraft holding short of Runway XYL at Taxiway 3; I applied braking and nothing happened. I increased brake pressure to no avail. It was apparent at this time that we were sliding. My First Officer (FO) also stood on the brakes and at this time I applied reverse thrust and turned the tiller to the left to attempt to arrest the sliding. It appeared and impact was imminent. My FO acted quickly and advised the preceding aircraft to move which caused tower to tell them to expedite and the fast actions of that Captain; as well as my FO and myself prevented a collision. The braking action on all taxiways north of taxiway 1 were poor/NIL. There were small burns of snow and patches of ice on all ramps and taxiways. It made for a very unsafe situation.My FO was an amazing support. He acted quickly and calmly; assisting me in regaining control of the aircraft. The rest of the taxi was uneventful and we taxied very slow and utilized both engines to get to the gate safely.
Second reporter narrative
As we landed in ZZZ on Runway XXR; we were slowing down and getting ready to taxi off the runway. Tower instructed us to make a left turn off the runway on the taxiway. As we were slowing down we could see that the taxi way had slushy; snow and ice on the taxiway. Because of this the Captain was taxing slow. As we were clearing the runway tower had instructed the plane in front of us; the aircraft holding short of Runway XYL on the taxiway; to cross Runway XYL. As we were approaching the aircraft in front of us I noticed that our airplane was not slowing down. I tried to help the Captain by getting on the brakes as well but we were sliding and the braking action was poor. At this time; I knew that the aircraft in front of us was already cleared to cross Runway XYL so I got on the radio and told them to go and that we had no braking action on the taxiway. Tower then told the airplane in front of us to expedite the taxi. The aircraft in front of us acted quickly and moved out of the way. We then came to a stop reset for a few moments and then when we were ready tower cleared us to cross Runway XYL and continued to the gate without further incident.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.