Date: 201502
Location: BWI.Airport, MD
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: Icing
Aircraft: A321
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Flight Attendant (On Duty)
Second reporter function: Pilot Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Detector: Person Flight Attendant
When detected: Taxi
Result: Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Contributing factors: Equipment / Tooling; Weather; Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: Aircraft had remained overnight during and ice and freezing rain storm. Significant ice buildup required lengthy de-icing off gate.  I noticed the de-ice team having difficulty removing ice and getting de-icer nozzle targeting aircraft surfaces. Significant ice remained on all wing surfaces and several cabin windows. I called the captain to advise him and he stated he would notify the de-ice crew to inspect the aircraft. Additional deice fluid was applied only to right wing.  I called captain a second time and advised him significant ice was still present and crew had NOT successfully removed contamination. I was told that the de-ice crews gave the aircraft a 'go' and that we were departing. After takeoff; I photographed the left wing and called two flight attendants to witness the buildup. One of the flight attendants immediately contacted the captain to express his concerns.  Only then did the captain leave the cockpit to investigate. His reply: 'I am so sorry; the de-ice crews lied to me!'Ego; near-ignoring / minimizing legitimate flight attendant safety concerns; total reliance on one source for final investigative concerns.


Second narrative: Departed the gate for de-icing. The aircraft was de-iced in accordance with our approved procedures and after de-icing a cabin crew member brought it to the Captains attention that there appeared to be show residue snow or ice on the right wing. We requested the aircraft be deiced again and it was done again in accordance with our procedures. After departure the Captain responded to a call from the cabin indicating that there was ice on the left wing. He left the cockpit to look for himself and in fact reported to me that there was a small amount of ice on the out board area of the left wing. The aircraft performed normally through out the flight as well. Additionally; the flight was also conducted in icing conditions for the majority of the time.Improper supervision and adherence to procedures of deicing crew. Suggestion would be to change de-icing procedures to include a cabin check after de-icing complete to verify the aircraft is clean.


Synopsis: A321 Flight Attendant reports working an aircraft that had spent the night in a freezing rain storm. The aircraft is de-iced and released by the de-ice crew; but significant ice remains and is reported to the Captain. A second de-icing occurs and the aircraft is again released and the Flight Attendant again reports ice remaining. This time the Captain chooses to ignore the advice and departs. After takeoff; the Captain is asked to come look for himself and is quite surprised to see the Flight Attendant is correct.