20081203854839A

(-23) On 12/03/08 at about 12:40 CST, northwest airlines (nwa) flight nr 1742 landed in the touchdown zone on runway 36 in Madison, Wisconsin (msn) after conducting an ILS approach. The runway was covered with a thin layer of snow and braking action reported as fair to poor. ATC directed the flight crew to exit the runway at A-1, the last available exit on that runway. The flight crew slowed the aircraft to a slow taxi speed but became confused of their position and missed the A-1 turnoff resulting in the aircraft taxiing six feet on the paved overrun. The captain attempted to make a one hundred and eighty degree turn, however, the aircraft began to slide about ninety degrees to the left while remaining on the pavement. The flight crew then requested a tug to pull the aircraft to the gate. An nwa tug driver connected the tow bar to the aircraft nose wheel at an angle so the tug could remain on the pavement. During the initial tow the aircraft moved forward and the nose wheel turned past ninety degrees to the left causing the tug and tow bar to jackknife. When the tug slid, it contacted the left side of the aircraft fuselage just below and aft of the forward cabin door. The nose gear ground shift mechanism and steering cylinder were also damaged. The airport fire rescue was notified as a precautionary measure; a mechanic also was called to inspect the aircraft and he determined it was safe to move. The aircraft was then safely towed to the gate. The airline has replaced the tug in msn with a tug that is capable of moving an aircraft on snow covered surfaces. In addition, nwa flight operations is researching the possibility of requiring all aircraft towed under slippery conditions to have their engines shut down.