Legislative Acts

 

14 CFR 135.227, Operating in icing conditions.


This law has been amended a few times since its first publication but the overall message is still the same, safety comes first. This law is still instrumental in aviation industry because it explains in detail what is required for safe operation of aircrafts during icing conditions. This includes current and forecasted weather reports along with pre takeoff contamination checks are used in the determination of safe to fly. No pilot is allowed to takeoff if there is frost, ice or snow build up on any rotor blade, propeller, windshield, stabilizing or control surface. 


USAIR Flight 405 crashed when attempting to takeoff from LaGuardia Airport, NY on  Mar 22, 1992, 14 years after the first publication of 14 CFR 135.227. The aircraft was on the tarmac in snow condition, just below freezing temperature. One hour and forty minutes behind schedule, the aircraft was notified that they would be delayed for another twenty three minutes. Final report states that the aircraft had sufficient takeoff speed but due to ice build up on the wings, enough lift couldn’t be generated for takeoff. A few seconds after attempting takeoff the aircraft crashed into Flushing Bay NY, twenty seven lives were lost. Even though there were deicing methods in place, this accident change the culture of deicing procedures. New deicing fluids have been developed which can last for hours. At the time of the crash, deicing wasn’t offered at the runway at LaGuardia airport, only at the gate, this has changed since then. Times between deicing and takeoff are also more regulated.

 

 

References

 

Icing On Air Ontario Flight 1363 & USAir Flight 405 Results In Deadly Crash | Mayday | Wonder. 2022. Wonder.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1WdGbVXFOE

 Aircraft Incident Report, USAIR Flight 405.1992.

    http://libraryonline.erau.edu/online-full-text/ntsb/aircraft-accident-reports/AAR93-02.pdf

 14 CFR 135.227.  Icing conditions: Operating limitations

    https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-135/subpart-D/section-

 

 WC 265.

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