Why Ice on an Airplane’s Wings Is So Dangerous
It has been one week since nine people perished after a small plane went down in Palm Beach County, Florida. While the investigation into what caused the crash is still ongoing, the early evidence suggests that it may have been icing that led to the tragedy. Here is a look at this hidden danger.
Icing Singled Out as Potential Cause of Florida Plane Crash
Aircraft icing is considered to be one of the most dangerous conditions for flight crews and passengers. Ice that forms on an aircraft's wings inherently reduces the plane's aerodynamic capabilities, increasing the threat of an accident.
Nine people died on Sunday, November 1, when a Learjet 60 broke apart in mid-air and then spiraled to the ground. The plane created a massive crater in the ground when it crashed in a residential area in Greenacres, along Florida's Space Coast.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation. However, the crew reported icing conditions just minutes before the incident.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says that aircraft icing is one of the major weather dangers in the aviation field. Ice accumulation on the wings naturally increases the weight of a plane. This extra weight reduces lift and thrust, compromising the ability of a plane to maintain a steady speed and altitude. In addition, ice building up on the aircraft can impair engine performance and disrupt the function of flight instruments and critical communication systems.
According to NASA, ice forms on an aircraft when its external surfaces collide with water droplets that are in liquid form even if the temperatures are below freezing. These are known in scientific circles as supercooled water droplets.
Areas with mountains are more likely to present icing danger. The FAA explains that some of the most severe icing conditions happen above ridges on the windward side of mountain ranges.
About the Different Types of Icing
Multiple types of icing can form on aircraft. For instance, clear ice forms when large water droplets collide with an aircraft and spread across the surface and then freeze into a smooth layer. This type of icing is especially dangerous due to its hard and heavy composition. Clear ice is also typically the most difficult to remove with standard deicing equipment.
Rime ice forms when smaller droplets freeze upon contact with an aircraft surface. These droplets then form an irregular layer that resembles frost. While it is usually lighter than its clear ice counterpart, the rough surface is more likely to reduce aerodynamic efficiency, creating more threats to aircraft in flight.
Mixed ice is the term used to describe icing that includes characteristics of both clear and rime ice.
Ground crews usually spray planes with heated deicing fluids to remove the ice that has already accumulated. Anti-icing fluids are also often applied to prevent additional icing before takeoff. Crews are equipped with tools to monitor temperatures and weather conditions in flight so that they can take the appropriate precautions.
Because it takes just a thin layer of ice to negatively impact the performance of an aircraft, it is critical that ground crews and flight crews take quick action to address the situation. The next time that a flight is delayed because of deicing measures, remember that these procedures could save your life.
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