Narrative:

Following pushback; a flight attendant notified us that a passenger seated several rows aft of the wing on the first officer's side was concerned about what they considered to be ice on the wing. I had forgotten to check on the wings during the turn; so I coordinated and performed a cabin check. I noted a thin; patchy layer of what appeared to be 'cold soaked fuel frost' on top of the right wing over the fuel tank (general area of the black outline on top of the wing). We coordinated with operations to have the frost removed; which was performed at another gate via hot water. At the gate; I checked on the left wing; which also had what appeared to be a thin; patchy layer of cold soaked fuel frost on top of the wing. I was humbled by this event as I should have been triggered to check on the wings within 10-15 minutes of arrival of previous flight since it blocked 2 hours 35 minutes and our arrival conditions were 1.5 miles visibility with temperature 7 degrees C; dewpoint 7 degrees C. I realized cold soaked fuel frost has been an emphasis item recently; so I have tried several techniques over the past several months to 'force' myself to remember to check the wings for cold soaked fuel frost. One additional thing to note is the ramp personnel only had 1 piece of equipment available to them; and none of the 3 nozzles they had were able to provide much of a forceful stream. Therefore; we had to depend on 'showering' the top of the wing with hot water; which took considerable time. I personally monitored the frost removal from the ramp and stand for both wings. I have only seen cold soaked fuel frost once in the nearly 8 years I've been at company. Since cold soaked fuel frost does not occur on most flights; pilots may benefit from a procedural step or some kind of reminder to consider the possibility. I know the opc provides a reminder to check for cold soaked fuel frost based on specific fuel temperatures. Supplemental information from acn 818219: after the second pushback; the same customer again raised a concern about ice on the leading edge of the right wing. The captain inspected it and explained to the customer that it was light reflecting off of the wet wing leading edge; and not ice. Flight crews should continue vigilance to follow fom requirements for this situation; regardless of the fact that the actual temperature is above freezing or what other flights and crews are doing. Also; personally; now that I have experienced this weather condition myself; I will be very vigilant and vocal to the captain in the future to avoid this mistake happening again.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Prior to gate departure; B737 flight crew is advised of frost on top of wing surface by a concerned passenger.

Narrative: Following pushback; a Flight Attendant notified us that a passenger seated several rows aft of the wing on the First Officer's side was concerned about what they considered to be ice on the wing. I had forgotten to check on the wings during the turn; so I coordinated and performed a cabin check. I noted a thin; patchy layer of what appeared to be 'cold soaked fuel frost' on top of the right wing over the fuel tank (general area of the black outline on top of the wing). We coordinated with Operations to have the frost removed; which was performed at another gate via hot water. At the gate; I checked on the left wing; which also had what appeared to be a thin; patchy layer of cold soaked fuel frost on top of the wing. I was humbled by this event as I should have been triggered to check on the wings within 10-15 minutes of arrival of previous flight since it blocked 2 hours 35 minutes and our arrival conditions were 1.5 miles visibility with temperature 7 degrees C; dewpoint 7 degrees C. I realized cold soaked fuel frost has been an emphasis item recently; so I have tried several techniques over the past several months to 'force' myself to remember to check the wings for cold soaked fuel frost. One additional thing to note is the Ramp personnel only had 1 piece of equipment available to them; and none of the 3 nozzles they had were able to provide much of a forceful stream. Therefore; we had to depend on 'showering' the top of the wing with hot water; which took considerable time. I personally monitored the frost removal from the ramp and stand for both wings. I have only seen cold soaked fuel frost once in the nearly 8 years I've been at company. Since cold soaked fuel frost does not occur on most flights; pilots may benefit from a procedural step or some kind of reminder to consider the possibility. I know the OPC provides a reminder to check for cold soaked fuel frost based on specific fuel temperatures. Supplemental information from ACN 818219: After the second pushback; the same customer again raised a concern about ice on the leading edge of the right wing. The Captain inspected it and explained to the customer that it was light reflecting off of the wet wing leading edge; and not ice. Flight crews should continue vigilance to follow FOM requirements for this situation; regardless of the fact that the actual temperature is above freezing or what other flights and crews are doing. Also; personally; now that I have experienced this weather condition myself; I will be very vigilant and vocal to the Captain in the future to avoid this mistake happening again.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of May 2009 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.