PC-12
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Hazardous Material Violation
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Environment - Non Weather Related; Equipment / Tooling; Human Factors; Procedure
I asked the mechanic for the approved deice fluid listed in our [company manual] for Pilot/Mechanic Applied Deice Fluid; [which states that] SAE Type I (AMS 1424) FPD is non-hazardous and may be carried aboard the aircraft in a hand sprayer; in a properly secured fashion.He advised it was unavailable and that nobody orders it. I requested it again as it is an approved procedure that would enhance safety and the completion of missions at remote out stations that could not offer deice service. He advised he had ordered an alternate and it raised no concern as I was not familiar with brand names or sources/where we obtain our supplies.Item arrived and when I showed up for shift I was immediately contacted to Standby for a flight. I checked Weather and NOTAMs and was aware that the time on the ground would most likely lead to frost formation on the aircraft. I opened the box of deice fluid and noticed it was not the same color as what was available at other bases. I checked the box for shipping labels and saw no HAZMAT shipping labels on the box that the bucket came in. I saw no notice on the packing list or paperwork that accompanied the product. I did recognize the brand name 'Kilfrost' as I have used their holdover tables in the past. I loaded the sprayer with 2 parts fluid; 1 part warm water and secured in the aircraft cargo area. While waiting on the ground and with frost forming on the aircraft I was able to get the aircraft in the hangar and sprayed which did remove the frost. We loaded up the patient when they arrived and left with a clean aircraft completing the mission uneventfully.The next day there was discussion about the fluid being the wrong fluid. I researched and was able to concur that it was not the correct fluid. There was a discussion that the item is HAZMAT. Further research finally completed today and confirmed the item to be flammable. Ultimately I am responsible for the airworthiness condition and the contents that are loaded in the aircraft.Obtain correct deice fluid and flag ordering of incorrect fluids. Beware of and recognize rushing to complete the mission as it is a 'link' in the chain of events that leads to problems. Beware of and recognize determination to complete missions as it is a 'link' in the chain of events that leads to problems. Beware of and recognize cargo that can be mis-marked; unmarked; improperly named or improperly labeled as it can be HAZMAT with no visible; tactile; or scent able notification.
PC-12 Captain reported discovering the alternate deicing fluid supplied was HAZMAT and not approved for carriage on the aircraft.