The flight encountered various unexpected icing conditions, including ground frost before takeoff and both rime and clear ice aloft, necessitating multiple altitude changes to escape.
Challenges compounded when the destination runway became unavailable, forcing an immediate diversion to an alternate airport while potentially dealing with existing airframe ice.
Executing the diversion required adapting approach procedures, such as maintaining higher speed and avoiding flaps, to safely land the aircraft despite potential contamination from prior icing encounters.
When traveling via personal piston airplane without so much as a heated prop, we know the drill if there’s airframe ice: Get an immediate route amendment, an altitude change, or both. Escape icing conditions or at least keep the problem from getting worse, then work on a diversion if needed. Just remember that there are trips when this isn’t just a one-time deal…
Two Delays
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