When can structural icing be particularly hazardous?

Structural icing can be particularly hazardous during takeoff and landing due to several factors that significantly affect aircraft performance and safety during these critical phases of flight.

During takeoff, aircraft are operating at lower airspeeds and are more susceptible to the effects of ice accumulation on the wings and control surfaces. Icing can drastically reduce lift, increase drag, and potentially lead to a stall, making it challenging for the pilot to achieve a safe climb-out.

Similarly, during landing, the approach phase often requires precise control and stability. Ice on the aircraft can impair handling characteristics, leading to difficulties in controlling the descent and touchdown, especially when attempting to maintain the proper approach angle and airspeed.

Furthermore, takeoff and landing typically occur in conditions where icing is likely, such as when flying through clouds or precipitation at or below freezing temperatures. Therefore, awareness of and caution regarding structural icing during these phases are crucial to ensuring flight safety.

In contrast, while icing can also be hazardous in other flight scenarios, such as at high altitudes or during cruise flight, the consequences are often less immediate compared to the takeoff and landing phases where rapid decision-making is necessary, and the aircraft is more vulnerable to the adverse effects of ice.