Ice forming inside turbofan engines may lead to power cuts in aircraft

NASA research shows ice particle icing on turbofan engines may be the culprit in regularly reported engine power losses in otherwise calm conditions.

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At high altitudes, humid air exists in an ice state. Ice crystals are so tiny as to be invisible to pilots and undetected by airplane equipment. Normally in such a cold environment, the ice particles would bounce off each other, lacking the necessary moisture to bond.

Inside the very hot environment of a turbofan engine, however, the mini atmosphere is so altered as to support slight melting and bonding. Ice particles accumulate on the stationary compressor blades. This build-up can obstruct airflow or shatter off, damaging the internal compressor blades. NASA has created a replica high-altitude atmosphere testing laboratory to make the discovery.

This video shows the process of ice particle icing on a plane's turbofan engine.