GAO Investigates Role of Icing in Plane Crashes

Washington, DCA preliminary report issued by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) finds that federal regulators could do more to ensure that icing does not cause fatal plane crashs. The report, which was requested by officials after the 2009 airplane crash in Clarence, New York, recommends that pilots receive proper training to prepare them for icing situations.

Icing was not found to be a factor in the Continental Connection Flight 3407 crash, but investigators did find that co-pilot Rebecca L. Shaw had set incorrect speeds for flying in icy weather. The speed of the plane set off an early stall warning, to which the Capt. Marvin D. Renslow reacted incorrectly, ultimately losing control of the plane.

Gerald L. Dillingham, director of physical infrastructure issues at the GAO, said in his testimony before regulators that icing is a serious concern. "Data on hundreds of incidents that occurred during this period reveal that icing and contaminated runways pose substantial risk to aviation safety," he said.

Icing is a concern because ice changes how air flows over the wings and tail, increasing the risk of a stall.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as cited by the GAO, there have been 229 deaths in accidents involving small commercial airliners and private planes between 1998 and 2007. Six icing-related accidents involving large planes occurred during that time, although there were no deaths reported. "However, FAA and others recognize that incidents are potential precursors to accidents and the many reporting icing incidents suggest that these airplanes face ongoing risks from icing," Dillingham said. "For example, FAA and NASA databases contain information on over 600 icing-related incidents involving large commercial planes."

Dillingham went on to note that the number of incidents reveal "a variety of safety issues such as runways contaminated by snow or ice, ground deicing problems, and in-flight icing encounters." He further testified that small commercial airplanes and noncommercial airplanes experience more icing-related accidents because they frequently operate in icier conditions, are smaller and more affected by ice, and may not have certified ice protection systems, if they have ice protection systems at all.

The GAO made a number of recommendations, including increased federal funding to research aircraft icing, improved weather forecasts for pilots, "thorough, relevant, and realistic" pilot training and a comprehensive approach by the FAA to managing winter airline travel.