What is an effect of ice, snow, or frost formation on an airplane?

The formation of ice, snow, or frost on an airplane's surfaces significantly impacts aerodynamic performance. When ice or frost accumulates on the wings and control surfaces, it disrupts the smooth flow of air over these surfaces, leading to increased stall speeds.

In normal flying conditions, an aircraft has a certain stall speed, which is the minimum speed at which the aircraft can maintain level flight. When ice or other contaminants are present, they alter the shape and smoothness of the wing, increasing the critical angle of attack at which the wing can stall. As a result, a higher speed is required to produce enough lift to counteract the weight of the aircraft during flight, thus increasing the stall speed.

While increased fuel consumption may be a consequence due to reduced lift efficiency and needing to generate more thrust, the immediate and most direct effect of ice, snow, or frost is the increase in stall speed, which poses a heightened risk during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff and landing. The reduced lift efficiency caused by these contaminants also exacerbates the situation, but the primary characteristic of this phenomenon is the increase in stall speed, making it crucial for pilots and flight engineers to address ice accumulation effectively before flight.