What is the procedure for a suspected de-icing fluid contamination event?

• A. Abort or delay takeoff per SOP, check contamination on surfaces, and follow de-ice procedures before flight.
• B. Continue takeoff regardless of contamination.
• C. Test de-ice fluid on ground while moving.
• D. Ignore contamination if flight is delayed.

Answer: (A)

When there's a suspected de-icing fluid contamination event, safety hinges on confirming the aircraft surfaces are clean before flight. The best approach is to abort or delay the takeoff per SOP, thoroughly check surfaces for any contamination on the wings, control surfaces, fuselage, and sensors, and then reapply de-ice/anti-ice as required before departure. This ensures the de-icing fluid is effective, holds its protection for the correct time window, and that no contaminated film could conceal ice or reduce performance. Continuing the takeoff despite contamination increases the risk of unseen ice and degraded de-icing effectiveness. Testing de-ice fluid on the ground while the aircraft is moving is unsafe and not an approved procedure. Ignoring contamination because a delay is planned only increases the chance that contamination remains on the surfaces when the aircraft eventually departs.