By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Reading: Passengers Fall Sick During De-Icing
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
Copyright © Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2024 | All Rights Reserved
Travel Radar - Aviation News > News > Passengers Fall Sick During De-Icing

Passengers Fall Sick During De-Icing

Jake Smith
Last updated: 7 February 2019 06:20
By Jake Smith 3 Min Read
Share
SHARE

An Air Transat Airbus A321-200, registration C-GEZD performing flight TS-782 from Quebec City, QC (Canada) to Fort Lauderdale, FL (USA) with about 185 people on board, was preparing for departure. The aircraft was being de-iced when a large number of passenger began to complain about feeling ill. The de-icing was stopped and the passengers disembarked back into the terminal. Local hospitals called code orange (large influx of patients), at least 11 passengers were taken to hospitals.

An aircraft getting de-iced

 

De-icing fluids consisting of propylene glycol (PG) and additives are widely used by airlines for de-icing aircraft. Ethylene glycol (EG) fluids are still in use for aircraft de-icing in some parts of the world because it has a lower operational use temperature (LOUT) than PG. However, PG is more common because it is less toxic than ethylene glycol.

When applied, most of the de-icing fluid does not adhere to the aircraft surfaces and falls to the ground. Airports typically use containment systems to capture the used liquid, so that it cannot seep into the ground and water courses. Even though PG is classified as non-toxic, it pollutes waterways since it consumes large amounts of oxygen as it decomposes, causing aquatic life to suffocate.

Anti-icing of aircraft is accomplished by applying a protective layer, using a viscous fluid called anti-ice fluid, over a surface to absorb the contaminant. All anti-ice fluids offer only limited protection, dependent upon frozen contaminant type and prevailing weather conditions. A fluid has failed when it no longer can absorb the contaminant and it essentially becomes a contaminant itself. Even water can be a contaminant in this sense, as it dilutes the anti-icing agent until it is no longer effective.

The airport reported the passengers suffered from itchy eyes, dizziness and a number vomited. 11 were taken to hospitals, their condition was not known to the airport. Emergency services took measurements of the cabin air immediately after being called on scene and found no issue with the cabin air quality. The airline has initiated an investigation into the occurrence, a ventilation problem during the de-icing is being suspected.

On Feb 6th 2019 the Canadian TSB reported: “While parked at the gate and undergoing de-icing, fumes were noticed in the flight deck as well as reported by the cabin crew. It was quickly attributed to de-icing fluid being ingested by the APU. The aircraft was deplaned and emergency services contacted. 11 passengers and 4 crew members were seen by paramedics and transported to the hospital for observations.”

 

 

Image © Andrew Holden

You Might Also Like

Tomorrow Takes Flight: Emirates aims to end Plastic Pollution

Musicians who love to fly!

How busy is the UK airspace?

What do the statistics say about air crash frequency?

Kenya Airways First to Deploy IATA’s I‑ASC Light for Safety Culture

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link
What’s your thoughts?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Angry0
Jake Smith
By Jake Smith
Director of Special Projects - Jake is an experienced aviation journalist and strategic leader, regularly contributing to the commercial aviation section of Travel Radar alongside leading strategy and innovation including livestreaming and our store.
Previous Article Bombardier Launches Three-class 50-seat CRJ
Next Article Qantas Cancels Remaining A380 Order
Leave a comment
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe

Trending News

Air France KLM group 18 September 2022
Air France-KLM to Acquire Majority Stake in SAS Scandinavian Airlines
Aircraft Airlines Aviation
Students inside Stockton Sixth Form College's Piper Warrier cockpit simulator
Aviation Generation and Stockton Sixth Form College Partner to Offer Aviation Course
Aviation Careers Did You Know
Panoramic view of Dubai's skyline during a beautiful sunset
Freedom, Speed, and Elegance: Exploring Dubai With a Rental
Aviation Travel
Emirates passenger enjoying a chocolate dessert
Emirates Reveals Data for World Chocolate Day
Airlines Aviation Travel
Etihad Airways launches new routes Abu Dhabi-Krakow and Abu Dhabi-Salalah
Etihad Aiways to launch new routes to Krakow, Salalah in Summer of 2026
Airlines Aviation Route Development Travel
//

Travel Radar is the leading digital hub for all things aviation and air-travel. Discover our latest aviation news, aviation data, insight and analysis.

Discover

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Press & PR
  • Privacy & Legal

Our Content

  • News
  • Data
  • Images
  • Jobs
  • Subscribe

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Click here to Signup!

© Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2015-2025 | ISSN #2635-0696 | Trademark #UK00003579704
wpDiscuz
adbanner
AdBlock Detected
Ads help us bring you high-quality, independent journalism for free. Support us by whitelisting us from your ad blocker.
Okay, I'll Whitelist
Welcome to the TR Community!

Sign in to your account

Register Lost your password?