Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Chart Or Publication; Human Factors
As we were taxing out in SMF to RWY 35L; the taxiway narrows and becomes a GA taxiway with a weight limitation. I was the First Officer and I was running the Before Take Off checklist when the Captain stopped the aircraft and informed me that he had missed the turn to the runway. He said that he had been distracted by his PFD that had gone blank for a moment. We informed ATC and they said that they were going to send out a tug. The aircraft didn't go past the intersection more than 5 feet; but it was to tight to make the turn; so we waited for the tug and were pushed back a few feet. After completing the push back we continued with the normal operation of the flight.
As we were taxing out in SMF to RWY 35L; the taxiway narrows and becomes a GA taxiway (250;000 lbs limit). As the First Officer was running the before take off checklist; my PFD went blank and distracted me enough to miss the taxiway. I quickly reacted and applied the brakes. Once the aircraft stopped I reassessed the situation. the aircraft nose wheel was still on the taxiway but the nose was just far enough as to not be able to make the turn. I informed ground of the situation and they sent out a tug. We were then pushed back approximately 5 feet. Once the tug and bypass pin were removed my First Officer re-ran the before taxi and before takeoff checklist. There is little to no indication that the taxiway narrows and become a weight restricted taxiway. Had there been visual cues of this; the incident more than likely would not have happened.
Air Carrier Pilot Crew reported inadequate warnings available for weight limitation change for a taxiway at SMF Airport.