A CRJ900's wing anti-ice system failed and automatically shutdown while in icing conditions at 11;000 FT. The QRH was complied with and ATC issued an expedited descent which allowed ice removal by 1;000 FT AGL.
Synopsis
A CRJ900's wing anti-ice system failed and automatically shutdown while in icing conditions at 11;000 FT. The QRH was complied with and ATC issued an expedited descent which allowed ice removal by 1;000 FT AGL.
Narrative
The aircraft anti-ice system indicated a failure to us as we were descending. We ran the Non-Normal Checklist. The Checklist directed us to leave icing conditions immediately. We notified ATC we needed to descend and land with priority handling. We were getting light rime and mixed ice. Approach wanted to know why. We told them we lost our ability to de-ice the wings (per SOP). ATC accommodated us with a short approach and a quick landing. While we were getting vectored for the approach ATC asked for souls and fuel on board. At that point we were under the assumption ATC declared an emergency; we were issued an Airfield Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) frequency. We did not declare an emergency. Nor did we believe the aircraft or passengers were in danger. However; we believed ATC had to move other aircraft off of the approach for us to land quickly. We discussed how we would advise ARFF on landing we would not need assistance. Therefore; we did not alert the flight attendants. This was a mechanical failure. This event could have been handled better by the crew. The mechanical problem may happen again. However; the crew may handle it better in the future. I suggest: 1. ATC announce they are declaring an emergency on us so the crew doesn't have to assume. 2. The crew should include the flight attendants even if there isn't any danger due to the presence of fire trucks. 3. possible re-wording of the Non-Normal Checklist to include a discretionary language to allow the crew to LAND normally if they are not getting ice accumulation in icing conditions.
Second reporter narrative
We received a Master Warning Anti-Ice Duct message. The system automatically turned off the wing anti-ice. I then followed the Checklist and turned the wing switch off. The Checklist also said avoid icing conditions. I then asked ATC for a descent and priority to land since the ground temperature was 4-degrees Celsius. We would only get low enough to melt the ice on final approach. ATC complied and called an emergency. As we descended we stopped accumulating ice and finally at about 1;000 FT AGL the ice completely melted away. We landed without incident; taxied to the gate; and called Maintenance.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.