EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Flight Attendant Airline Total 14; Flight Attendant Total 5
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Human Factors; Procedure; Weather
I am writing with respect to a failure in the procedures of either de-icing; anti-icing; or length of time on taxi. Flight was scheduled to depart at XA00. The updated schedule shows that we departed at XB18. At the time of boarding; a snow storm entered the area/corridor. This aircraft was then scheduled for and was de-iced. I was seated in the front jumpseat; facing aft; [and] working as Flight Attendant A. We taxied for; what appeared to be; at least 15-20+ minutes or more. It is somewhat difficult for me to determine the exact amount of time because there were numerous questions from passengers regarding arrival; could they use the bathroom; could they turn on their cell phones; etc. Essentially; I was 'busy' with passenger's questions and comfort. However; having flown for years with another Airline; before joining this one; I was somewhat familiar with de-icing. After what was 20+ some minutes (again; I am unsure of the time); I noticed a build-up of snow on the forward First Class Windows on AC Right and AC Left. Once we stopped moving; I took it upon myself to walk aft through the cabin and casually observe the wings. With the exception of perhaps a 4 foot by 4 foot area on the leading edge; the wings were covered with the slushy snow/ice mixture. I walked forward; called to notify the Flight Deck of what I was seeing with respect to the windows and wings. The Captain (or perhaps First Officer) opened the cockpit windows to view the wings and agreed with my observation. The fight was then returned to the gate. The plane was once again de-iced/anti-iced; however; we were then advised that the flight was canceled. The cancellation was due to the crew; who was to have flown the return flight. I was told the crew had called in fatigued. Our current block time reads that we pushed and returned to the gate two hours later. For more exact times; amount of time on taxi; perhaps the Captain's log would be more definitive. Nevertheless; it is this writer's opinion that there was a failure with respect to technique (on behalf of the crew de-icing the AC) or failure with the mixture of the chemicals used; perhaps failure with the de-icing mixture/equipment or failure with respect to ATC to allow an AC to accumulate a snowy/ice mixture on an aircraft presumably ready for takeoff. Respectfully; I would request that this circumstance be investigated; to assure good safety standards are being followed during de-icing. To prevent this occurrence; it would need to be determined the cause of this event. If this was due to operator procedure; equipment failure; improper use of equipment; improper mixture of chemicals for weather; delay on taxi; etc. It is this writer's opinion that this matter should be investigated to determine the reason and then all involved should be re-acquainted with the proper procedures to be followed to prevent this from occurring. I believe that it was a fatal crash which brought us to the need for de-icing/anti-icing. I respectfully request that this occurrence NOT go without notice.
EMB175 Flight Attendant notes a slushy snow/ice mixture on the aircraft wings as the flight is about to takeoff and informs the Captain. The Captain returns to the gate for a second deicing but the flight is canceled for lack of a crew at the destination airport.