Even as researchers study ways to improve detection of in-flight icing and make airframes and engines more resistant to icing conditions, they continue to struggle to understand the icing phenomenon–especially the formation of ice crystals–according to speakers at a conference on the subject organized by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in Cologne, Germany recently. Ice-prevention techniques present their own challenges, which aircraft makers, airports and ground handlers are endeavoring to solve.
Icing was the primary cause of 80 accidents in the past 10 years, resulting in 263 fatalities worldwide, according to EASA numbers. It is a contributing factor in many more events, added John Vincent, EASA deputy director for strategic safety. What’s more, “traffic is increasing in Asia, and the tropical climate there is a good place for ice crystal formation,” said representatives from engine manufacturers Rolls-Royce and Snecma.
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