Originally Posted by
Pontius Pilot
The icing boots were extended shortly after the accident and the plane can take icing conditions.
It was not all design flaw that brought that flight down. Holding below minimum recommended icing holding speed did not help matters any. It was your usual "series of events" that ultimately led to the crash.
The planes were sent south, but they are back in DFW now, where there is significant icing possibilities. And many operators continued to fly the ATR in extreme northern climates. I think the transfer south was part for public perception and part to make way for RJs.
I'm going on memory here, as I read the book around 10-12 years ago. At the time I believe they were operating at the recommended speeds. After the accident I believe they were increased. There had been several incidents and at least one other icing related accident where Ice was suspected to have formed behind the boots. If ATR had stepped up after the accident in Italy and said they wanted to make changes to the boots and increase speeds at that time, the Roselawn accident may never have happened.
Yes the accident was a chain of events. Holding -or flying -for any length of time in Icing conditions at slow speeds with the autopilot on may not be very smart.