NASA research shows ice particle icing on turbofan engines may be the culprit in regularly reported engine power losses in otherwise calm conditions.

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At high altitudes, humid air exists in an ice state. Ice crystals are so tiny as to be invisible to pilots and undetected by airplane equipment. Normally in such a cold environment, the ice particles would bounce off each other, lacking the necessary moisture to bond.

Inside the very hot environment of a turbofan engine, however, the mini atmosphere is so altered as to support slight melting and bonding. Ice particles accumulate on the stationary compressor blades. This build-up can obstruct airflow or shatter off, damaging the internal compressor blades. NASA has created a replica high-altitude atmosphere testing laboratory to make the discovery.

This video shows the process of ice particle icing on a plane's turbofan engine.