Motivated by a loss of control incident with an American Eagle Saab 340B in 2006, the FAA has issued a final airworthiness directive requiring US operators to modify how pilots fly in icing conditions.
According to a National Transportation Safety Board interim factual summary of the January 2006 incident, the aircraft rolled and nearly inverted at one point during a 50s loss-of-control event.
No one was injured as a result of the incident and the aircraft did not sustain "substantial" damage, according to the NTSB.
Investigators determined that pilots had allowed the aircraft to slow to an inadequate airspeed for icing conditions as it climbed through 11,500ft (3,500m) in prime icing on departure.
The AD includes aircraft flight manual changes that involve minimum airspeeds and autopilot usage in icing conditions, that must be made by 26 April.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
