What is the effect of icing on lift and stall speed, and what action should be taken?

• A. Ice increases weight and disrupts airflow, raising stall speed; descend to warmer air and use anti-ice/deice systems as appropriate.
• B. Ice reduces weight
• C. Ice has no effect on stall speed
• D. Ice should be ignored and continued operation

Answer: (A)

Icing changes how the wing produces lift by adding weight and roughening the wing surface, which disrupts smooth airflow. That combination reduces the wing’s effectiveness and raises the stall speed, meaning you’ll reach a stall at a higher indicated airspeed than in clean air. To manage this, descend to warmer air if possible to melt the ice and use the aircraft’s anti-ice or deice systems as appropriate per procedures. Ignoring icing or continuing operation without addressing it can lead to a dangerous loss of lift and an early stall.