Weather Front Hazards to Aircraft

Highlighting the importance of understanding the impacts of mid-latitude cyclones on flight operations and flight safety.

On October 31, 1994, American Eagle Flight 4184 took off from Indianapolis International Airport inbound to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Jason Kroot (2020) describes that because of weather-related delays, O'Hare's air traffic control placed AE 4184 in a holding pattern while they awaited additional clearance. While in the holding pattern, AE 4184 encountered freezing rain and ice build-up on the wings. The ice resulted in an uncontrolled roll and the imminent crash of American Eagle Flight 4184.

Based on the conditions which caused the crash of American Eagle Flight 4184 and the area in which it occurred, it can be assumed that a warm front and temperature inversion is a plausible cause of these conditions. During fall in the Midwest, there is usually one last surge of warmer weather before winter, and it usually occurs around October; the same of the year that this flight crashed. A temperature inversion exists at the level where the warm air overrides the cold air, with the inversion level increasing in height as the distance ahead of the front increases, creating freezing rain, sleet, and ice ahead of the front.

References

Kroot, J. (2020). Roselawn, Indiana Plane Crash of American eagle flight 4184. Chicago Accident Lawyer. https://www.krootlaw.com/roselawn-indiana-plane-crash-of-american-eagle-flight-4184.html