Narrative:

After landing at our destination; we exited the runway at taxi way kilo and proceeded into the ramp area of the terminal. Upon entering the ramp all braking effectiveness was lost and the aircraft could not be stopped; until reverse thrust was applied to both engines. The current ATIS at the time had a NOTAM that stated that all taxi ways and ramp areas had poor braking action.we called ATC and reported our braking action as nil. The airport authority then sent a sanding truck in order to treat our pathway from our current location on the ramp to the gate. While observing the sanding truck apply its load; we observed it sliding and fishtailing as well. During this time we also called dispatch and the local operations trying to come up with a solution to get our passengers deplaned somehow. We were advised that the local station did not have any trained tug drivers working at this time and that we would not be able to be towed in to the gate. After a lengthy delay; the sanding truck advised us that a thick layer of sand had been put down and that he would guide us to the gate. Initially this seemed to work; until we had to make a turn around a corner towards the gate area. The aircraft immediately lost traction and slid uncontrollably into an adjoining ramp area. Once again reverse thrust was applied in order to try to stop the aircraft. After the aircraft appeared stopped; the parking brake was applied. Shortly after this the aircraft started to move across the ice and weather vane into the wind; even with the parking brake applied. After another lengthy delay; the local station brought stairs and a shuttle bus and was able to deplane the aircraft.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier Captain reported losing control of the aircraft while taxing on an icy ramp.

Narrative: After landing at our destination; we exited the runway at taxi way KILO and proceeded into the ramp area of the terminal. Upon entering the ramp all braking effectiveness was lost and the aircraft could not be stopped; until reverse thrust was applied to both engines. The current ATIS at the time had a NOTAM that stated that all taxi ways and ramp areas had poor braking action.We called ATC and reported our braking action as nil. The airport authority then sent a sanding truck in order to treat our pathway from our current location on the ramp to the gate. While observing the sanding truck apply its load; we observed it sliding and fishtailing as well. During this time we also called Dispatch and the local operations trying to come up with a solution to get our passengers deplaned somehow. We were advised that the local station did not have any trained tug drivers working at this time and that we would not be able to be towed in to the gate. After a lengthy delay; the sanding truck advised us that a thick layer of sand had been put down and that he would guide us to the gate. Initially this seemed to work; until we had to make a turn around a corner towards the gate area. The aircraft immediately lost traction and slid uncontrollably into an adjoining ramp area. Once again reverse thrust was applied in order to try to stop the aircraft. After the aircraft appeared stopped; the parking brake was applied. Shortly after this the aircraft started to move across the ice and weather vane into the wind; even with the parking brake applied. After another lengthy delay; the local station brought stairs and a shuttle bus and was able to deplane the aircraft.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.