Embraer Jet Undifferentiated or Other Model
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 12
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Gate
Procedure; Weather; Human Factors
I was working Local Control 1;2;3 all combined during the departure bank. There had been 6 inches of snow the previous night. This was the second departure bank of the day and we only had 1 or 2 aircraft say that they needed to de-ice. There were 4-5 aircraft lined up depart 30. 2-3 lined up to depart 1C. A pilot asked me on the frequency if the EMB was planning to depart. He then advised that the EMB had snow and ice covering the leading edges of the wing and all over the tail of the aircraft. The EMB pilot of Aircraft X advised that they were told that the aircraft had been de-iced at the gate. I pulled Aircraft X out of the departure line up to return to the Ground Controller to de-ice. I am concerned that if this aircraft had departed it could have been disastrous. I thought all pilots physically walk around the outside of an aircraft before leaving the gate. That way they would have known that they were still covered in snow and ice. Advise [airline] to have their pilots visually check the aircraft before leaving the gate.
Dulles Tower Controller reported being advised an aircraft with snow and ice covering aircraft surfaces was in line ready to depart.