Originally Posted by
Otto Throttle
As far as icing is concerned, I was under the impression that the aircraft had been holding at FL150. I suspect given the weather in that area at the time, this was in clear air. There has also been speculation as to why the crew requested a climb to FL80 after the missed approach, and I would also suspect that this is related to a suitable level of clear air and to facilitate a subsequent diversion.
They were definitely not in clear air at FL150. Again, check the Cloud top temperatures here (mouseover, indication top left on screen): With -25 to -35 degrees clouds higher up by far.
Satellit Top Alarm-Bild vom 19.03.2016, 01:45 Uhr - Ukraine | Wetter von kachelmann.