Turbine D;
Perhaps you should think twice before adding to the semantic confusion on this and other threads about 'icing'. Icing is the formation of ice due to freezing of liquid water. Transport airplanes, their engines and pitots are approved for flight in icing conditions after demonstrating that capability in extensive tests in natural as well as simulated icing conditions, and by flying with simulated ice shapes. All experts agree that these conditions do not exist at -40 °C. I am grateful to Tim Vasquez' excellent analysis of the meteorological conditions of the accident, but I understand from your middle quote, that he may not be aware of recent research triggered by events in which turbine engines suffered thrust loss flying in clouds of ice particles at altitudes and temperatures similar to the conditions of AF447. A number of publications from the Boeing stable explain the theory developed to explain the mechanism that causes atmospheric ice particles to stick to heated surfaces, such as engine intakes or pitots. Are you aware of these?