Aircraft Ground De-icing / Anti-Icing Emergency Procedures

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers typical emergency scenarios together with recommended mitigations.

Please do consult with your own operations procedures regarding specific requirements in the event of an emergency situation.

Introduction – Emergency Declared

In the event that an abnormal situation occurs during de-icing/anti-icing activities which may contribute to casualties or the potential for equipment damage, the following measures should be taken:

• The service personnel shall stop working and evacuate from that area.
• The service provider shall notify the flight crew of the situation immediately
• In the case of Engine-On de-icing/anti-icing, the Snow Man shall order ‘Engine Shutdown’ to the flight crew
• (e.g.) (aircraft call sign), Snowman, SHUT DOWN ENGINES due to equipment failure/ truck inoperative/ truck overturned
• The service provider shall notify the apron control tower of the situation immediately
• The apron control tower shall take measures according to the procedures for unusual situations when receiving such a report from the service provider, and the service provider shall cooperate fully 

Return to Normal OPS

• Once the problem has been resolved, the service provider may resume the de-icing/anti-icing service
• All of the de-icing/anti-icing service shall be performed in the condition of engine-off

Breakdown of de-icing/anti-icing service vehicles

• Upon noticing a car breakdown, a de-icing/anti-icing service vehicle driver shall stop working immediately and notify the service provider of i
• In the event that the de-icing/anti-icing service vehicle out of order cannot move, that vehicle shall be towed from the active area and the work shall continue with another vehicle
• In the event that the de-icing/anti-icing service vehicle out of order cannot move, the service provider shall determine if the de-icing/anti-icing service will continue in consideration of the problematic parts of the vehicle and the progress of de-icing/anti-icing
• The service provider shall notify the apron control tower of the situation immediately, and then the latter shall reflect the details in future pad allotment

De-icing/anti-icing service vehicles and access to/contact with the aircraft

• When a de-icing/anti-icing service vehicle approaches/comes into contact with an aircraft, the de-icing/anti-icing service shall stop immediately
• The service provider shall notify the flight crew of the details regarding the contact area of the aircraft
• (e.g.) (aircraft call sign) BE ADVISED EQUIPMENT IMPACT TO THE AIRCRAFT ON (significant point on aircraft)
• (e.g.) DAMAGE (description of damage) OBSERVED. ADVISE YOUR INTENTION
• The de-icing/anti-icing equipment shall not be withdrawn until the investigation is completed
• The service provider shall notify the apron control tower of the situation immediately, and the latter shall reflect the details in future pad allotment

Communication errors

• Upon an external TRS communication error, the de-icing/anti-icing service vehicle driver shall discontinue the de-icing/anti-icing service immediately. In the case of Engine Off de-icing/anti-icing, the de-icing/anti-icing service may continue unless the temporary communication error or vehicle driver causes dangers to the de-icing/anti-icing work
• During the de-icing/anti-icing, if there is a VHF communication error between the Snowman & pilot, the following measures shall be taken:
• If the Snowman detects a communication error, the apron control tower, and service provider shall be notified of it
• The service provider shall move the de-icing/anti-icing service vehicle to the standby area and orders through the interphone the pilot to turn off the engine (In the case of the engine on de-icing/anti-icing)
• If the pilot detects a communication error, the pilot shall turn off the engine immediately and turn on every lighting outside the aircraft. The Snowman and de-icing/anti-icing service personnel shall discontinue the de-icing/anti-icing service as soon as they notice that the aircraft engine is turned off and external lightings of the aircraft are turned on. (They also shall move the de-icing/anti-icing service vehicle to the standby area)
• The apron control tower shall take measures according to the designated procedures, and the service provider shall cooperate fully

Return to Normal OPS

• When it is thought that there is no more problem, the service provider resumes the de-icing/anti-icing service. In this case, the de-icing/anti-icing service shall be conducted in the ‘Engine-off’ condition

Fire on the aircraft

Upon detecting a fire on the aircraft during de-icing/anti-icing service:

• The pilot shall report it via the VHF
• The pilot then shall determine whether to move the aircraft to an appropriate place or to evacuate from it
• If the Snowman is first informed of a fire by the captain, the Snowman shall notify the service provider and apron control tower as well
• If the apron control tower first informed of a fire by the captain, it shall notify the service provider immediately and take necessary measures
• The service provider shall discontinue the de-icing/anti-icing service and evacuate the service personnel from the affected area.

Medical emergency

• When noticing a medical emergency during de-icing/anti-icing service, the service provider shall report it to the apron control tower and cooperate fully for proper response at the aircraft.

Fire on Ground Equipment

• Upon noticing a fire on the equipment in a de-icing/anti-icing pad, the service personnel shall evacuate the vehicles around the aircraft and personnel in them out of that area and then notify the airport fire department and service provider
• If possible, the affected equipment shall be moved as far as possible from the aircraft
• The service provider shall inform the flight crew of the situation immediately. In the case of Engine-On de-icing/anti-icing, the Snowman shall direct the flight crew to shut down the engine
• The service provider shall report the emergency situation to the apron control tower, and the apron control tower shall take appropriate action

Next Steps

Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) and Sofema Online (SOL) provide EASA Regulatory Compliant and Vocational training delivered as classroom, webinar and online certificated courses – for details please see the websites or email team@sassofia.com