You Want That With Ice?

While were discussing the various precision approach scenarios, lets think about whats going to happen once weve acquired some airframe ice. The POH probably makes it clear flaps are a big no-no when landing with ice on the airframe. Weve seen the NASA videos on tailplane stalls, so we know, intellectually, that adding any flap deflection at all, or slowing down, could very well jam us into the planet. We fly the ILS flaps-up, at the power setting that nailed the glideslope, until we roll the wheels on the runway.

Editorial Staff

Friday, March 20, 2015 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

When landing with airframe ice, pilots must avoid using flaps or slowing down due to the significant risk of a tailplane stall.
The correct procedure is to fly precision approaches (like ILS) flaps-up, maintaining the power setting required to hold the glideslope, until the wheels touch down.
Pilots should resist the dangerous habit of immediately reducing power and extending flaps/gear upon breaking out of clouds, as this instinctive reaction can lead to a fatal tailplane stall when ice is present.

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While we’re discussing the various precision approach scenarios, let’s think about what’s going to happen once we’ve acquired some airframe ice. The POH probably makes it clear flaps are a big no-no when landing with ice on the airframe. We’ve seen the NASA videos on tailplane stalls, so we know, intellectually, that adding any flap deflection at all, or slowing down, could very well jam us into the planet. We fly the ILS flaps-up, at the power setting that nailed the glideslope, until we roll the wheels on the runway.