CE560XL flight crew received a cargo door latch warning during climbout and returned to their departure airport. While taxiing into position for the next departure from the snow covered runway; the nose tire lost traction causing the aircraft to slide off the runway.
Synopsis
CE560XL flight crew received a cargo door latch warning during climbout and returned to their departure airport. While taxiing into position for the next departure from the snow covered runway; the nose tire lost traction causing the aircraft to slide off the runway.
Narrative
This was the 4th leg of the 4th day of my trip with a show time of XC00. I was released from IOE (Initial Operating Experience) training the previous day. My partner's show was XA00. We flew a deadhead out to pick up 5 passengers that were coming back with us to ZZZ. There was a lot of weather in the ZZZ area that day. We dropped the passengers off at ZZZ; fueled and left for our next leg. There were several snow squalls (Tower's comment) rolling across the west end of the airport so we had to wait a little bit to get out. Climbing out; the rear latch on the left nose baggage door popped out; giving us an annunciator. We returned to ZZZ to resolve the problem. The situation was extended a couple hours due to my partner insisting that we declare an emergency. That situation was resolved and we prepared to depart again. About that time; I was advised by my partner and Scheduling that he would be going over 14 to do the trip. I asked him what he wanted to do; and he decided to continue. I hadn't seen the plows on the runway for some time and asked the First Officer to call the Tower to check conditions and any braking reports. Tower said it had not been plowed for a while but a G-IV just landed and reported 'fair.' Then a Falcon 50 landed but no report was given. We discussed it and at approximately XM30; we taxied to the de-ice pad; I was Pilot Flying. At approximately XM50; we taxied for the runway. I commented that I had more traction on the taxiway than when we were there before; so I felt it was ok. I continued to taxi as slowly as possible; all the way to the takeoff position. As I taxied onto the runway; I was being extremely cautious to go slow in the turn; staying in the center of the taxiway and runway. I made an arc to turn onto the runway to avoid a sharp turn; going as slowly as possible. As I was approaching the center of the runway; with the nosewheel turned; the plane continued in line with the fuselage; sliding the nosewheel. I applied the brakes and the mains started sliding. I kept releasing and reapplying the brakes when it slid; trying to get control. The idle power and no traction simply took away all the control I had over the aircraft; just like approaching an icy intersection in your car; with loose snow over ice. I was unable to continue turning the plane with the repeated engaging and releasing of the brakes. I also tried to straighten the nosewheel to regain traction and turn again but it continued to slide. I believe I did everything I could to avoid this; short of canceling the trip. I don't think I could have taxied any slower. I did not feel like fatigue was a factor at the time although I'd had a couple long days previously; but I was totally exhausted once this duty period ended. I'm sure I was dealing with a bit of anxiety due to this being my first day released from IOE; wanting to make sure everything was right and also a lot of weather to deal with during the day's flights. A possible factor was the painted stripes and runway number on the approach end of the runway. The airport representative that was on scene as we were pulling the plane back onto the runway said they had some issues with the painted surface being extremely slick with snow over it. The First Officer pointed out the camber; or crown; of the center of the runway appeared to play a part in losing control; and it was about the time that the nosewheel approached the centerline that control was lost.
Second reporter narrative
At approximately XM40 we completed our deice operation in ZZZ. We started engines and received our taxi clearance from Tower. After receiving our taxi clearance we taxied south on Alpha taxiway. The taxiway was snow covered. As we approached the end of taxiway Alpha we received our takeoff clearance. I completed the before takeoff checks down to the line. As we crossed the hold short line for Runway 35R I checked that we were clear left and right and confirmed Runway 35R was correct. The runway was snow covered. I then completed the before takeoff checks below the line. I looked up about when the aircraft was passing the middle of the runway and noticed the aircraft was not turning enough to stay on the runway. I asked the Captain if he was seeing what I was seeing. He indicated that he did and was attempting to steer the aircraft. The aircraft departed the runway at a very slow speed. The aircraft did not make contact with runway lighting. We told tower that we had departed the runway and would need assistance. The Captain briefed the passengers on what had happened. We were able to deplane them and their baggage.I am not sure what could have been done to prevent this event. Maybe we could have come to a complete stop at the hold short line to made one last evaluation of the traction; then proceed out to the runway. This procedure would have permitted a slower turning speed onto the runway. I could have also completed the entire before take off checklist before we started rolling again. This would have allowed me to watch the radius of the turn to the runway and help detect if we were sliding.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.