Fuel Injected Engine Systems & Impact Icing

  Today, I would like to discuss the problems that can be caused by icing on a fuel injected engine system, with a Cessna 172 in mind. Although fuel injected systems are greatly advantageous compared to carburetor systems in regards to icing, there are still problems that can occur. The main concern would be impact icing, that type of icing being the type that gathers on the outside of the aircraft ("Aircraft Systems", 2008, p. 7-11-7-12). Impact ice usually occurs when there is moisture in the air, whether that be mist, rain, snow, clouds, or others of the like. This ice build-up is similar to what may be experienced when ice builds up on an aircraft’s wings (Martin, 2017). Naturally, icing conditions and icing should generally be avoided as best as possible, but if faced with a situation where icing threatens, it is important to know how it could possibly interfere with your fuel injected engine. One of the greatest concerns regarding fuel injected engine systems and impact icing is if the ice is blocking the air filter of the aircraft. The air filter takes in much of the air that is used to create the air-fuel mixture within the engine. Limiting that air intake could be a great issue with running the engine normally. Thankfully, aircraft are often designed with this thought in mind, with alternate air intakes added for this purpose (Martin, 2017). 

Cessna 172s Plane/Systems Flashcards | Quizlet

But, if the icing is severe enough to block additional air intakes as well, engine efficiency and function may be a concern. The most common signs of impact icing affecting engine performance is first, knowing that icing is a concern. Ice would most likely be a clear issue, gathering on other areas of the aircraft. But affects on engine performance will be clear if a RPM drop is detected. Pilots will most likely be looking to land as soon as possible if faced with severe icing, so ensuring that power is regularly adjusted to maintain engine function until landing is the most vital aspect of an impact icing response. Altering power with the throttle and altering mixture as needed is the best solution to keeping an engine running with blocked air intakes. (Cutler, 2017). Of course, icing can have much farther reaching affects than simply interfering with engine performance, but it is an affect that cannot be ignored! 

Kathryn's Report: Structural Icing: Cessna 182Q Skylane, N97596; accident occurred November 06, 2019 near Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (KBJC), Broomfield, Jefferson County, Colorado

References 

Aircraft systems. (2008). In Pilot's handbook of aeronautical knowledge (pp. 7-1-7-42). U.S. Dept. of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration. 

Cutler, C. (2017, February 2). How to survive an inadvertent icing encounter. Boldmethod. Retrieved November 30, 2021, from https://www.boldmethod.com/learn-to-fly/weather/how-to-survive-an-inadvertent-icing-encounter/ 

Martin, S. (2017, September 14). The pros and cons of carbureted vs. fuel injected engines. Boldmethod. Retrieved November 30, 2021, from https://www.boldmethod.com/learn-to-fly/systems/carbureted-vs-fuel-injected-engines-in-your-airplane-and-how-it-works/ 

Comments

  1. Shavar FosterDecember 1, 2021 at 8:45 PM

    I love your posts. Fuel injection system if not properly paying attention to it, can ice up and cause the engine to stall. My instructor always tells me, don't forget to pull up on the carburetor before takeoff, while in flight (half way), and before landing. This is very important in environmental conditions of low temperatures. I totally agree with your blog. Thank you for the detail information

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