B1900 flight crew reports striking a snow bank during taxi out from the gate. The First Officer warned of impending contact but the Captain could not stop the aircraft due to the icy ramp conditions.
Synopsis
B1900 flight crew reports striking a snow bank during taxi out from the gate. The First Officer warned of impending contact but the Captain could not stop the aircraft due to the icy ramp conditions.
Narrative
Earlier today; the area experienced an accumulation of ice then a layer of dry snow on top of that ice. The ramps and taxi-ways at the airport were slippery and breaking action was poor to nil. After completing the before taxi check-list; we signaled the ramp agent that we were ready for departure; and were guided to turn left out of the gate area. Because of the heavy snow accumulation throughout the day; a large mound of snow had been accumulated near the gate by the plow trucks. While making the left turn out of the gate; the right wing struck the snow mound resulting in the breaking of the nav light lens and the breaking of the light bulbs. The First Officer was watching the wing tip during the turn; and warned me that the wing was going to hit the snow mound. However; with the slippery ramp; the aircraft could not be stopped. I want to emphasize that this is not at all the fault of any ramp agent; but this is simply a circumstance where a snow mound was created near a gate where the ramp was slippery; and breaking action was poor to nil. No passenger injuries were reported. After hitting the mound; I shut down the left engine; had the First Officer hold the breaks; and exited the aircraft to inspect the wing-tip. When I discovered the broken lens; I opted to return to the gate; and de-plane the passengers.
Second reporter narrative
The ramp and taxiways were slippery and breaking action was poor to nil. After completing the before taxi checklist; we signaled the ramp agent that we were ready for departure; and were guided to turn left out of the gate area. Because of the heavy snow accumulation throughout the day; a large mound of snow had been accumulated near the gate by the plow trucks. While making the left turn out of the gate; I told the Captain to stop the aircraft; we were going to hit the snow mound. This resulted in the right wing striking the snow mound and the braking of the nav light lens cover and the light bulbs. I was watching the wing tip during the turn; and warned the Captain that the wing was going to hit the mound. However; with the slippery ramp; the aircraft could not be stopped.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.