Air carrier flight crew reported taxiway incursion during taxi for takeoff in heavy rain.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported taxiway incursion during taxi for takeoff in heavy rain.
Narrative
Out of the north port we were given standard taxi instructions to XXL/[Taxiway] 1 ([Taxiways] 2-3-4-5-6). We turned on Taxiway 6 as normal. Once on Taxiway 6; it started to rain - heavily. I asked the First Officer (FO) to get wet" runway data for XXL/Taxiway 1. We were just short of Taxiway 1 on Taxiway 6; but hadn't received the uplink yet. Tower said to continue to Taxiway 7 short of Taxiway 8. We continued; and the FO started programming the FMC. Approaching Taxiway 7; I oversteered as I usually would for a 753 turn; but instantly I lost traction due to the sudden deluge of standing water. Instead of continuing the turn; and risking exiting the taxiway; I just gave up; and straightened up and continued down Taxiway 6 to 9. Once on Taxiway 9; I came back around on Taxiway 8. ATC was not happy that I missed my turn; which I knew I missed; but it wasn't like there was an opportunity to say so with the rapid taxi instructions to other airplanes. We apologized and then came back on Taxiway 8; turned on Taxiway 7; short of Taxiway 6. Then ATC got mad again because now our tail was blocking Taxiway 8. We said we were ready and had the wet data; and they said follow company to XXL/Taxiway 1. In all honesty; with all the sudden rain and water coming down the windows it was kinda hard to even see where Taxiway 7 was out the side window (no window wipers on the side). When I started the turn (753 you have to over shoot a bit) I realized I didn't have the grip to corner out a nice 90° turn. I figured it was safer to abort the turn - and get in trouble - then force a bad position and try to make the turn with the current conditions/position."
More incidents for this aircraft family →
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.