Air carrier flight crew reported a temporary loss of control while taxiing on ice covered taxiways.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported a temporary loss of control while taxiing on ice covered taxiways.
Narrative
The aircraft was pushed off gate XXX in ZZZ. We started both engines per winter operation procedures due to slippery conditions and the need to operate engine anti-ice. We exited the ramp from taxiway 1. Our instructions from ground control were runway XXL; left Taxiway 2 hold short of taxiway 3". As we taxied out we had numbers for XXL intersection but needed full length so the FO (First Officer) requested them as we turned left onto bravo taxiway. The taxi was smooth and uneventful; with good steering and braking on the taxiway. On taxiway 2 as we approached the ramp on the taxiway bridge after taxiway 2 the aircraft required a slight right turn. Aircraft speed did not seem excessive and as the CA (Captain) input right tiller the aircraft continued straight toward the edge of taxiway 2 just prior to the bridge. The CA continued to slow while adding more right tiller input. The aircraft failed to turn and then abruptly contacted dry pavement and began an immediate right hand turn towards the opposite side of the bridge and failed to respond to left tiller input. Left brake pressure was greater than right and the aircraft finally slowed and regained enough traction to sustain control. The CA centered the aircraft on the taxiway and continued to taxi to runway XXL without further incident. The crew immediately informed ZZZ ground control of the slippery surface and advised of poor braking action. ZZZ ground control advised the airport authority of the report and requested an inspection. ZZZ ground control advised the aircraft behind our aircraft of the conditions. The crew did not hear anything further from ZZZ tower and ground control. The weather conditions were SKC and a temp of -10C. It appeared that the ramp to; and taxiway 2 bridge still had contaminants on them and that possible black ice and frozen uncleared snow had caused the aircraft nose wheel to skid and lose traction. The crew did not recall excess taxi speed or seeing the ice. Contributing to the situation is the bridge being of concrete almost masked the light layer of snow and ice still present. After the flight was complete a proactive postflight inspection was accomplished. There was no visible damage or evidence of the aircraft departure from the prepared surface. During the abrupt right hand turn the #1 FA fell into the 1R door. The FA reported having gotten up to fix the cart with the garbage bin because it had opened during the taxi. As the FA was in the galley they fell into the 1R door. It is understandable in hindsight that the bridge if uncleared of snow/ice would be coldest of all taxiway surfaces. The pavement taxiway surfaces were clean and probably warmer than the bridge. Company aircraft cannot access any runway surface without transiting a taxiway bridge on taxiway 1 or taxiway 2. Also; company jeppesen pages do not address the possibility of lingering frozen contamination on the bridges due to the nature of bridges freezing before other surfaces. Also it was surprising that the bridge still had contaminants on the taxi surface and were not as clean as the taxiways."
Second reporter narrative
Departing XXL in ZZZ; our taxi instructions were to take Taxiway 2 and hold short of Taxiway 3. The weather was good with no precipitation; and a temperature of -10 C. Some contamination was present from a previous snow event. The taxiways appeared mostly clear and damp with some occasional chunks of snow. We performed a two engine taxi with anti ice on. On the taxi out FO was working on getting new performance data well as contacting ops to inquire about the load close out since it had not yet been received and we were awaiting cargo numbers. It was announced that the FO would be heads down" once we got on Taxiway 2. Approaching the bridge on Taxiway 2 near the intersection; I noticed that we were departing centerline to the left as the taxiway curved to the right. It quickly became apparent that the nose wheel was sliding as the Captain started the turn. The nose wheel found some dry pavement before the edge of the taxiway. Since the tiller was turned right; we quickly turned back towards centerline; overshooting slightly before regaining full control of the aircraft. A pilot report was issued to ATC before the next aircraft crossed the bridge; and ops was sent to inspect the bridge. Since I was heads down approaching the bridge; I did not get a good look at the contamination; but I assume it was black ice on the taxiway. The rest of the taxi was uneventful. Possibly a note in the company pages regarding the turn approaching this bridge may be slippery."
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.