PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - AF 447 Thread No. 7
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Old 24th November 2011 | 03:30
  #477 (permalink)  
mm43
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From: NNW of Antipodes
I suspect the probable outcome will be described as "super-cooled" icing.

It appears from an article in news.com.au published a few hours ago that the lowest temperature that pure H2O will remain as a liquid has been extended from -41/-42°C to -48°C.

This would cover the AF447 situation where the nominal OAT was -43°C and an updraft containing super-cooled droplets could have created an "ice-block" on the pitots and possibly other surfaces within a second.

The initial pitch down and roll to right at A/P disconnect may have had as its origins, the same cause.
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