Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 185; Flight Crew Total 561; Flight Crew Type 561
Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Weather; Airport
After pushing back we received taxi clearance to taxi to Runway XX. Originally ground had asked us if we could do a 180 degree turn and taxi south on Alpha. After determining there was not enough room to do the turn Ground instructed us to taxi to Runway XX via A; G; and we would back taxi down Runway XY to get into position. Ground informed us that runway condition levels were 3-3-3. We began taxiing and went at a normal safe taxi speed.After turning onto Taxiway G there is a kink in the taxiway. We made the first part of kink and as the Captain began to turn the aircraft back to the left I noticed we were a little to the right of center line. My feet were just off the rudder pedals in a guarding position. I reached up to put my feet on the pedals and could tell the Captain had already made a full deflection as the aircraft was now sliding in a 90 degree sliding turn. As the plane kept spinning it was sliding toward the grass that was to the left side of the taxiway. The CA applied thrust reverse to bring the plane to a stop. The plane never left the paved surface. Where we ended up we determined we could not safely taxi. We checked with the FAs and informed them we were going to be towed; most likely; back to the gate. The CA and I determined we should just be towed back to the gate. As the CA called ops to request the tug; I made a PA letting the passengers know what was happening and we would be going back to the gate to ensure the safety of the aircraft. We were towed back to the gate without further incident.
The weather was 9 miles visibility and light snow. The runway conditions was reported as 3-3-5. Some taxiways were closed due to icy conditions and the taxiway had wisps of snow but looked okay with 2 inches of snow on the side. We deiced and started to taxi. We started both engines and taxied at a slow speed.Halfway to the runway there was a slight jog to the right then left. I steered right then started to steer left but the aircraft kept going right. I stepped on the brakes and full left rudder but no effect. I then gave right engine thrust which started the aircraft turning left but also moving forward and left drift with the aircraft starting to do a 180 degree turn. I put the engine to idle. I knew the aircraft was sliding and thought of the actions of a car in a skid and thought of letting go of the brakes (not sure if I did). The aircraft was now sliding towards the left side of the taxiway and used thrust reverser to try to stop the further skid and the aircraft stopped just short of exiting the taxiway.The F/O recommended we have the aircraft towed back and we also had the aircraft inspected for damage which they found deep cuts in 4 tires which I believe was unrelated to the slide. When the tug came to tow us we saw the driver get out of the tug and he was sliding toward the aircraft over the clear ice. Airport operations was also there and put sand over the taxiway as we were towed back.
Air carrier flight crew reported losing traction on an icy taxiway and sliding just short of exiting the taxiway.