Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown
Deviation - Speed All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Aircraft; Human Factors; Weather
We were given a hold at FL380. We reduced airspeed to hold speed per FMS and Takeoff and Landing Data. Both pilots witnessed airspeed slowing below target speed and entered into a conversation about appropriate action. Holding leg length was increased from 10 to 15 mile legs in an attempt to reduce AOA and build speed. Throttle was set to Takeoff Go around (TOGA) power and then max power. Airspeed continued to deteriorate and First Officer (FO) requested a lower altitude. ATC advised unable. Airspeed continued to drop and we requested lower again; eventually having to make the decision to [notify ATC] and descend. Radio coverage in the area was poor; perhaps due to the weather; and ATC was unclear of our intentions/actions. We started a descent to FL370 and then got the stick shaker. At that point we made the decision to treat the event as a full blown stall and chose to continue to FL360 for airspeed; following stall recovery profile. After informing ATC of our need to descend numerous times; ATC was still confused or unaware of our intentions. The root cause of the event was an inability of the aircraft to maintain airspeed at 38;000 feet. Further complications resulted from congested airspace and poor radio coverage. To avoid this type of event in the future; holding at 38;000 feet would be avoided!
The root cause of the event was the high altitude holding clearance with a relatively low minimum holding speed combined with turbulent air. The root of the perceived altitude deviation was the lack of clear communication with air traffic control; most likely due to the static interference from the nearby storms.
CRJ-700 flight crew reported they were unable to maintain speed in a holding pattern at FL380 and advised ATC they had no choice but to descend to a lower altitude.