Originally Posted by
what-to-do
Vortex Thing has it pretty much spot on.
The flight was loaded with maximum fuel, allowing 6 tons of tankering fuel. This equated to roughly 2 hours of holding time, which fits nicely with the reported facts. This would have been arranged by the company (NCC).
I'm interested in this, is there ever concern of ice formation on tanking fuel and landing with more than 5 tonnes when tanking, sounds like a relatively long flight this one and then holding, is it possible the temperature of the fuel in the wings in contact with the wing upper surface (if full to the brim) and the moist weather could have led to some serious wing icing.
We have seen the affects of severe ice on wings before throughout history, the relatively mild weather one might not have wing or engine A/I on but the fuel and moisture is doing its thing... ? (No expert just wondering). Various airlines have various guidance on maximum to land with to avoid wing ice from tanking on turn around.