Commercial Fixed Wing
Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Weather; Airport
We landed on 34R; rolled up to H8; tested the braking and found it to be fair. Slowed to 10 KTS then started the turn onto Taxiway H. There was an aircraft southbound on H holding short for us. Tower told us to take either the reverse high speed or the easy turn and contact Ground. I elected to take the easy turn since the braking previous to our landing was fair to poor. I was doing about 5 KTS by the time I was halfway into the turn and the aircraft went into a very slow slide to the left that could not be stopped or corrected. After slowing to a stop we ended up turned 180 degrees from our original direction facing back toward the runway but still on the taxiway. We did not hit anything; burn any rubber or produce any g-loading. The cabin crew had no idea we slid because is was so slow and even. The Tower saw what happened and asked what the braking was on the taxiway. We responded that it was nil and they immediately stated that the airport was closed. We were instructed to stay where we were so we shut the engines off and ran the APU. We were told it might be a couple hours before we could get to the gate. We were told by another aircraft that tow bars had snapped trying to tow on the ice so decided to wait until the taxiway could be sanded and sprayed before we tried to get to the gate. Finally the taxiway was treated; tested and we were told we could proceed to the gate. There needs to be better monitoring of braking conditions on all surfaces during icing conditions on the ground. We were told the braking was fair to poor on the runway so I expected the taxiway to be about the same. That was not the case. The braking was nil and even though I was going very slowly the aircraft slid out of control. After our incident we were told that we were the second aircraft to slide. That would have been useful information to have. Despite my discussing the flight with my Dispatcher; I had no reservations about going since the weather stated light freezing rain. That is within the parameters required for landing so I was not overly concerned that we could complete the segment safely. However; I would in the future request that braking action reports be made available for all surfaces; not just the runways.
Air Carrier Captain reports loosing control while taxiing on an icy taxiway at SLC. once the aircraft is stopped the crew waits for the taxiway to be sanded then taxis to the gate.