Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Type 4000
Situational Awareness; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
General None Reported / Taken
Weather; Aircraft
C208 Caravan TKS equipped. While enroute IFR; encountered unforecast trace [of] ice. TKS switch was in high mode. Pilot observed TKS fluid only flowing from the first two feet of wing and last two feet; no fluid flow on majority of both wings; aircraft had no ice protection with this TKS system. Dusty air seems to clog the wings and render system not operational. Very dangerous; and unreliable. TKS System should be investigated.
A C208 pilot reported that following exposure to dusty conditions when the TKS System was activated during icing conditions in flight the fluid flow on both wings was uneven or absent providing no protection.