Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Distraction
Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Airport; Human Factors; Weather
Event mid morning during VMC conditions. After landing and exiting at C (Charlie) Taxiway; we taxied the short distance to the ramp. I decided to taxi very slowly the entire way to make sure we observed the 2 minute engine cool down limitation. While entering the ramp area we both noticed that it looked as though they had plowed but there were still areas of snow present. While in the middle of the ramp area just south of the terminal and facing East I began to turn the airplane left toward the Marshaller. The aircraft did not turn so I started applying brakes. The aircraft failed to stop and continued East on the ramp. I determined that we were on a patch of black ice. I then deployed the Thrust reversers to full power for a few seconds until the aircraft came to a complete stop. The aircraft stopped approximately 10-15 feet from the edge of the ramp area. We were able to make the left turn toward the parking spot without further incident. After deplaning the passengers the First officer and I went out to the ramp area south of where we had parked to see what the aircraft was slipping on. The entire ramp area was a sheet of 1/8-1/4 inch of ice.  EXTREMELY UNSAFE! I was worried about using the Thrust reverse at such a slow speed but now realized that it was our only option for stopping the aircraft and avoiding damage. I spoke with the Station Operations Manager and he explained that he had not tested the area that morning but it looked clear. He stated that the clearing of the ramp area was the responsibility of the Airport Operations and that they had plowed last night. I contacted Maintenance about using the Thrust Reverse at a low speed. I also contacted Dispatch and let them know that we couldn't leave with the current conditions unless Airport Operations would clear it. The Station Operations Manager explained that he had contacted the Assistant Airport Manager and he had said that 'it would be fine after the sun comes out and melts it.' I tracked down the Assistant Airport Manager and he said he had a crew coming over to clean the area. I explained to him about our close call and he didn't seem too worried. After they removed the ice so that we could exit the ramp we departed without further incident. Our crew was informed of patchy ice and snow on all taxiways and ramp areas; but did not realize that there was such a large sheet of ice covering the entire ramp area. We entered the ramp at a reduced speed but still were unable to stop the aircraft using brakes. There should be a way that the station can test the area through walking or driving a tug on the entire area to find out what the true current conditions are. The City needs to do a better job of cleaning the ramp area. It seemed as though Management wasn't too concerned about the safety of the area. When I followed the Assistant Airport Manager out to the ramp area he stopped short of the airplane turn around to face the Terminal and said that he could have his crew clean up the ice and snow between the aircraft and the Terminal. He demonstrated a lack of Situational Awareness for what was happening on the ramp. This could have caused damage to the aircraft and harm to those on board.
A CRJ200 Captain used full reverse to stop his aircraft on a ramp covered with ice which prevented braking action.