Originally Posted by
mikearuba
Because of the thin shape of the tail, it will normally ice up much faster than the wing.
So wouldn't this suggest that if you enter a stall in icing conditions in an aircraft not approved into icing conditions that you must
assume it must be a tail stall?
This
AOPA publication recommends this:
You are likely experiencing a tail stall if:
• The pitch control forces become abnormal or erratic
when flaps are extended to any setting.
• There is buffet in the control column (not the
airframe)
But I don't really see how these two characteristics are dissimilar to the onset of a wing stall in icing conditions?
I wouldn't assume anything just because your in Icing. Knowing your aircraft and how it behaves in a wing stall will help you better diagnose which type of stall you are dealing with.
I say this because when I had an un expected encounter with freezing rain/severe Icing, I experienced a wing buffet because of the location/intensity of the ice (accumulated during descent).
A tail stall has an entirely different feel in a GA aircraft, like you said the control yoke will buffet and get your attention. Try flaring a 402 during landing with residual ice on the tail and you will find out how that feels
.