Date: 201503
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ZZZZ.Airport, FO
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Dusk
Aircraft: B747-400
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Cargo / Freight / Delivery
Flight phase: Taxi
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Workload; Time Pressure
Second reporter function: Relief Pilot; Captain
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown; Ground Excursion Runway
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Taxi
Result: Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Airport; Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: Our crew was scheduled to operate [Aircraft X] from ZZZZ1 to ZZZZ2. Pre-departure duties were performed in a normal manner; allowing block out 8 minutes early. An earlier departure was disapproved due to parking limitations at ZZZZ2.Aircraft [Aircraft Y] was parked on [the] Ramp. Taxi instruction had us taxi via Taxiway F; Taxiway G; Back-taxi on Runway 09 to Taxiway E; Back-taxi on Runway 08 to the end. We were directed to perform a 180-degree turn at the end of Runway 08 because Taxiway A was NOTAMed closed. With this taxiway closed there was no other option other than performing a 180-degree turn to position the aircraft for a full length departure from Runway 26. Runway 08/26 is 148 feet wide. The minimum runway width needed for a 180-degree turn on [Aircraft X] is 153 feet. The crew discussed this and I decided that the use of the entrance to Taxiway A would mitigate the 5 feet disparity in runway width.Our high priority cargo included blood supplies. The concern for continued movement of the cargo played part in my decision to continue. The aircraft was a relatively light aircraft with a gross weight of 297;400 KG. My speed was approximately 7 knots commencing the turn. Approximately 135-degrees into the 270-degree turn; the nose gear skidded when leaving the painted surface of the runway and transitioning onto the concrete surface of the runway. The turn was continued and appeared to be satisfactory until approximately 225-degrees into the 270-degree turn; when the aircraft once again skidded upon leaving the painted surface of the runway while transitioning to the concrete surface.After the second skid; I did not feel the turn could be completed safely without leaving the paved surface of the runway and chose to stop the aircraft on the runway and request tug assistance to complete the turn.After stopping the aircraft; it was discovered that the nose tire had partially departed the paved portion of the runway.There had been at least three previous occurrences of aircraft failing to complete a 180-degree turn on Runway 08. On these episodes; attempts to use a tug resulted in deep ruts caused by the tug. It was decided that the tug would not be used to push our aircraft to the center of the runway. The aircraft was pulled back onto the runway with the use of cables. Once the aircraft was pulled to the center of the runway; a tug positioned the aircraft on the centerline of Runway 08. An inspection of the gear and struts was conducted. The aircraft was found to have no damage and cleared for flight.


Second narrative: I was a non-operating crew member seated directly behind the captain and had limited visibility of events. We were instructed to perform a left 180 on the runway; the captain maneuvered the aircraft into the taxiway turnout to gain some added maneuvering room. He started the turn with adequate velocity; but shortly into the turn; the aircraft lurched to a stop. The captain worked with the aircraft to get it going again; but the turn was not going to be completed in the remaining space.We had a CRM moment and the aircraft was stopped with the nosewheels still on the pavement. The aircraft was perpendicular to the runway and required ground assistance to line-up for takeoff. The military has their own nomenclature for tasks they perform everyday. We would help ourselves by training exactly what they mean by a 'left 180' on the runway (and etc.).


Synopsis: A B-747 flight crew attempted to do a 180-degree turn on a runway due to taxiway closures. The Captain began the turn with about seven knots but was unable to complete the turn with that initial ground speed. The nose tire partially departed the runway and cables were used to get the Aircraft back on to the Runway. The aircraft was found to have no damage and cleared for flight.