Runway De-icing Problem

The recent crash (spring 1992) of an airliner at La Guardia Airport, in which icing on the wings was implicated as a causal factor, has intensified the debates over (1) the role deicing plays in air transportation safety, and (2) the extent to which pilots are responsible for air transportation problems were deicing is implicated as a causal factor. The fatal crash at La Guardia was only the latest of several in recent years in North America in which deicing was implicated as a causal factor.

It is proposed that a research study be conducted, the purpose of which will be to examine the deicing problem as it affects air transportation safety. Specifically, the focus of the proposed research will be the assessment of the following questions:

1. To what extent should airline pilots be responsible for assuring that effective deicing procedures are observed, and that aircraft do not takeoff until such procedures have been effected?

2. To what extent should airline pilots be responsible for formulating and determining the adequacy of deicing procedures?

The findings of the proposed research study will be presented in the form of a fivechapter research paper. Chapter titles and contents for the proposed research paper will be as follows:

Chapter 1Introduction: This chapter will state and explain the problem investigated, describe and explain the research methodology employed, and outline t