Narrative:

While taxiing south on taxiway east was issued an instruction to hold short of runway 27R. When given the clearance to resume taxi; I added power; but aircraft would not move. We were subsequently notified that our right main wheels were sunk into a depression/soft spot in taxiway east. A tug was procured to tow us back to the gate where we had the aircraft inspected for damage. This could present a real safety concern should the aircraft need to make a timely return to gate for a medical or any other reason that required immediate need to taxi.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: After holding short of Runway 27R on E; an air carrier flight crew was unable to continue taxi as their right main gear wheels had sunk into a 'depression/soft spot' in the taxiway. A tug was required to extricate the aircraft.

Narrative: While taxiing south on Taxiway E was issued an instruction to hold short of Runway 27R. When given the clearance to resume taxi; I added power; but aircraft would not move. We were subsequently notified that our right main wheels were sunk into a depression/soft spot in Taxiway E. A tug was procured to tow us back to the gate where we had the aircraft inspected for damage. This could present a real safety concern should the aircraft need to make a timely return to gate for a medical or any other reason that required immediate need to taxi.

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.