A number of accidents have occurred after control was lost during approaches in icing conditions where the autopilot suddenly switched off after exceeding limits. Should the NTSB and FAA look into this?
This is a pilot training issue, and training programs should address it with more realistic icing-related scenarios in simulators. Aircraft manuals need to provide better information regarding icing effects on stall speed and performance. Pilots should never fly with the autopilot in icing conditions, and the FAA should write a rule prohibiting autopilot use in icing conditions. The FAA and NTSB should analyze these types of accident before any rulemaking attempt.
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