Severe icing on aircraft can pose a significant danger to flight safety, as explained by William Waack, anchor of CNN Brazil and amateur pilot, when commenting on the crash of a plane in Vinhedo, in the interior of São Paulo.
The incident may have been caused by the accumulation of ice on the aircraft’s wings, compromising its aerodynamic characteristics.
Waack detailed how pilots identify and deal with this dangerous situation. Typically, ice buildup can be seen on visible surfaces of the aircraft, such as the windshield. However, severe ice, being transparent and thick, can be more difficult to detect visually.
Detection and prevention systems
The journalist explained that planes like the ATR 72 are equipped with specific systems to deal with adverse weather conditions, including icing.
The aircraft’s control panel has indicators and controls that alert the pilot to a reduction in speed or altitude, signs that may indicate the formation of ice.
When faced with this situation, pilots must act quickly to get out of the icing area.
Waack stressed that even well-equipped aircraft certified to fly in these conditions have a limit to how much ice they can withstand before losing their aerodynamic characteristics.
Emergency procedures
“What does the pilot do when he recognizes a situation like this? He has to get out of that place,” asks Waack.
In the case of an ATR flying at 17,000 feet (level 170), the most viable option is to descend. This allows the aircraft to gain speed and enter a higher temperature zone, where friction with the air can help melt the accumulated ice.
The anchor highlighted the anguish a pilot feels when losing control of the aircraft due to severe icing.
“There is nothing that makes a pilot more anxious than to think he has no control over the plane he is flying,” said Waack, visibly emotional as he discussed the video of the accident.
Waack’s detailed explanation serves as a reminder of the importance of safety procedures and pilot preparation for adverse weather conditions, highlighting the challenges aviation faces in extreme situations.
Source: CNN Brasil
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