Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Time Pressure; Workload; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Weather; Procedure; Aircraft; Human Factors
When taxiing to Runway 31 for departure; no significant delays were expected. Cabin temperature was warmer than desired but remained at 30 [degrees] Celsius. Because no delays were expected and the flight was not full; we opted to board and continue on schedule. When cleared onto the runway; after calling 'below the line'; the First Officer noted 0 PSI output of left pack. ZZZ Tower instructed us to line up and wait. We informed them we were working an issue. ZZZ Tower then instructed to pull onto runway and make left turn to taxi off. Cabin temp had rose to 34[degrees] Celsius and was rising rapidly. I elected to return to gate immediately rather than wait it out and call Maintenance. We informed operations of the need for a gate immediately due to excessive cabin temperature. We were instructed to proceed to gate XX and contact Ramp. After entering the alley with Ramp Control; Operations informed us that gate was for another aircraft and instructed us to leave the alley and standby for a gate assignment. I informed them we were unable due to excessive heat and we were unable to turn around in the alley. The ground crew didn't know what to do so they stood there and delayed marshalling us in for several minutes. The cabin temperature rose during this time to a maximum of 37[degrees] Celsius. Operations then informed us that a CRJ would not fit on gate XX. I queried them as to whether the jet bridge wouldn't fit or if the spot itself wasn't big enough; in my opinion it was plenty large to fit. Eventually; Operations agreed to give us the gate after delaying for several more minutes and the marshallers parked us. The gate agent got the jet bridge attached without issue. In order to expedite deboarding; I informed the passengers they would leave their valet bags until the aircraft was fully deboarded. After finally parking and deboarding; the ground crew began to understand the severity of the situation and was helpful in getting the aircraft cooled to an acceptable level. The flight then departed with approx. 1.5 hour delay.A maintenance issue noted at a very inopportune time was the first cause. The situation was exacerbated by undue delays by operations who clearly did not understand the severity of this situation. I used no uncertain terms that we needed a gate immediately due to a dangerous situation; and they delayed several minutes allowing the cabin temperature to climb to 37[degrees] Celsius.
Captain reported that on taxi out; the aircraft had a #1 Pack Fail; resulting in excessively high cabin temps; requiring a return to gate and deplaning all passengers for safety.