Narrative:

We pushed from the gate and configured the aircraft for de-icing. After we first got the type 1 50/50 spray the truck driver asked us if we were ready for type 4. The first officer and I noticed that there was still ice on our windshields and wipers. We told that to the driver and asked to get sprayed in that area again with type 1. They did; and we still saw ice on the wipers. Then the flight attendant called to notify us that they could not see outside the windows because there appeared to be ice on them. We notified the truck driver that we still had ice on the aircraft and that we will need to have the whole aircraft sprayed again. We could see that the operator on the bucket was getting very upset about this. They sprayed us with a very fast spray and then the driver got of the truck and did a supposedly tactile inspection. He told us that the aircraft was clear of all contamination and if we were ready for type 4. I could still see ice on the windshield so I asked the first officer to do an external visual inspection. He did and came back notifying me that the aircraft was covered with ice. I requested to see a supervisor and they brought a second truck. We got sprayed again and from the cockpit it appeared that finally the aircraft was clear of contamination. We got the type 4 spray on the wings and tail; contacted the flight attendant's and asked them if they were happy with the aircraft. They both told me that they could still see ice on the windows. I decided to go outside the aircraft and inspected it myself. Found that the aircraft was clear of all ice with the exception of some frost on the galley window that I removed with my hands. I told the flight attendant's that as far as I could see I was satisfied with the aircraft condition; and if they were ok to continue. Both said that as long as I was ok with it; they were ok also. I explained to the passengers what had happened; and they were glad to see we took those extra precautions. Departed and the remaining of the flight was with no further complications. Dispatch was notified while we were having the issues with the de-icing explaining to him why we were so late. From what I see here we have a serious safety issue that needs to be addressed right away. How can the driver notify the crew that the aircraft is clear of contamination when in fact it is not. I recommend putting more emphasis during deicing training on how critical it is to have a safe aircraft. Also if an employee develops an attitude like the bucket operator did; we have no need for that kind of risk in this industry.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: CRJ crew finds fault with the deicing crew; requiring two additional attempts before the aircraft is deemed free of ice.

Narrative: We pushed from the gate and configured the aircraft for de-icing. After we first got the type 1 50/50 spray the truck driver asked us if we were ready for type 4. The First Officer and I noticed that there was still ice on our windshields and wipers. We told that to the driver and asked to get sprayed in that area again with type 1. They did; and we still saw ice on the wipers. Then the Flight Attendant called to notify us that they could not see outside the windows because there appeared to be ice on them. We notified the truck driver that we still had ice on the aircraft and that we will need to have the whole aircraft sprayed again. We could see that the operator on the bucket was getting very upset about this. They sprayed us with a very fast spray and then the driver got of the truck and did a supposedly tactile inspection. He told us that the aircraft was clear of all contamination and if we were ready for type 4. I could still see ice on the windshield so I asked the First Officer to do an external visual inspection. He did and came back notifying me that the aircraft was covered with ice. I requested to see a Supervisor and they brought a second truck. We got sprayed again and from the cockpit it appeared that finally the aircraft was clear of contamination. We got the type 4 spray on the wings and tail; contacted the Flight Attendant's and asked them if they were happy with the aircraft. They both told me that they could still see ice on the windows. I decided to go outside the aircraft and inspected it myself. Found that the aircraft was clear of all ice with the exception of some frost on the galley window that I removed with my hands. I told the Flight Attendant's that as far as I could see I was satisfied with the aircraft condition; and if they were ok to continue. Both said that as long as I was ok with it; they were ok also. I explained to the passengers what had happened; and they were glad to see we took those extra precautions. Departed and the remaining of the flight was with no further complications. Dispatch was notified while we were having the issues with the de-icing explaining to him why we were so late. FROM WHAT I SEE HERE WE HAVE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED RIGHT AWAY. HOW CAN THE DRIVER NOTIFY THE CREW THAT THE AIRCRAFT IS CLEAR OF CONTAMINATION WHEN IN FACT IT IS NOT. I recommend putting more emphasis during deicing training on how critical it is to have a safe aircraft. Also if an employee develops an attitude like the bucket operator did; we have no need for that kind of risk in this industry.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.