Commercial Fixed Wing
Other / Unknown
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors; Airport; Weather
Airport authority issued a Field Conditions report (FICON) for the apron indicating dry snow over packed snow braking action poor. Actual conditions were more than 2 inches dry snow over ice braking action NIL. Two separate aircraft had near misses with ground handling equipment taxiing on to the apron. Both aircraft had completely locked brakes and were still advancing under idle power. Ramp personnel had to give emergency engine cut hand signals to stop the aircraft. One aircraft skidded approximately 40 feet before coming to a rest 6 to 8 feet from a passenger boarding ramp and the wing leading edge. The other aircraft began to yaw uncontrollably and came within 8-12 feet of a wing tip striking a truck.The airport had not conducted snow removal on the apron all day. The airport only issued an accurate FICON for the apron after both pilots gave PIREPs of NIL.
A Ramp Agent reported that two separate aircraft experienced near misses with ground handling equipment on the apron because of NIL braking. The airport authority had issued a Field Conditions (FICON) report for the apron indicating dry snow over packed snow with braking action poor.