Icing effects on aircraft systems
Ice degrades four systems besides the wing (TC AIM AIR 2.12.3):
| System | Effect | Cite |
|---|---|---|
| Propellers | Efficiency drastically cut; can cause imbalance with resultant vibration | 2.12.3(b) |
| Windshield/canopy | Reduces or blocks vision from flight deck | 2.12.3(d) |
| Engine thrust | Disrupted engine airflow or degraded propeller efficiency cuts thrust. Ice ingested into jet engine can trigger compressor stall or flame out | 2.12.3.2(c) |
| Flight controls | Water flows back into control surfaces, freezes, restricts movement | 2.12.3.2(d) |
- Frost can also block vision: descent from below-freezing air into warm, moist layer can frost glass in flight (2.12.3.1).
Trap: frozen-water jam in controls is separate from roll upset (aileron self-deflecting off ice ridge) and wing-stall effects.
References
- TC AIM AIR 2.12.3
- TC AIM AIR 2.12.3.1
- TC AIM AIR 2.12.3.2