Icy Flight Problems

From the WSJ

"In a few weeks, these people said, investigators are likely to warn operators and pilots of Boeing Co.'s long-haul 777 models to take extra precautions when monitoring fuel temperatures on a growing number of extended flights over the North Pole. If temperatures creep too low, pilots can descend to warmer air or speed up to increase the heat generated by air friction against the plane's skin."

Back in the day when Ernest K. Gann wrote the aviation classic "Fate Is The Hunter" ice was was a killer that formed on wings and control surfaces, destroying aerodynamics and increasing weight until airplanes fell from the sky.

We like to think our technology solves all problems. But, of course, the law of unintended consequences and hubris tend to bite us in the butt just when we get comfortable in that new recliner.

Icing has moved from outside the airplane to inside--in this example, Boeing 777's flying polar routes to save fuel are finding that those super-cold temperatures are causing minute amounts of water that contaminate all aviation fuel (they are in your car too, but seldom cause problems) are freezing, and then clogging the flow of fuel to the engines.

That seems to be the cause of that 777 crash at Heathrow, as the Journal notes, "Investigators suspect that the Jan. 17 accident at London's Heathrow Airport occurred because slush or ice built up in part of the fuel system of the British Airways 777 during a long polar flight from China in unusually cold outside temperatures. As the widebody jet descended toward London, remnants of icy particles likely clogged a portion of its fuel system, starving the Rolls-Royce engines and providing minimal power despite pilot commands for more thrust."

Naturally, all parties involved deny responsibility.

"Though some are arguing for design changes, a team of U.S. and British investigators hasn't reached a consensus on whether to recommend modifications to make the fuel systems on some Boeing 777s more resistant to unusually frigid conditions. Such a move could be seen as a public relations blow to Boeing and Rolls-Royce PLC, which supplied the engines and related hardware on the accident aircraft."

Same old story. Protect corporate reputations (aka bottom lines) while consumers suffer and die.

BTW--Ernest K. Gann finally quit flying, believing that while Fate is a hunter that will ultimately find its prey, sometimes you can step out of the way just a bit. Something to ponder the next time you board that polar-bound China Clipper.