What can result if aircraft are not treated symmetrically during deicing?

When aircraft are not treated symmetrically during de-icing, it can lead to aerodynamic problems. Symmetrical de-icing is crucial because ice or snow buildup on one side of the aircraft but not the other can create an imbalance in aerodynamic forces. This can affect the aircraft’s ability to maintain controlled flight, leading to adverse conditions such as unequal lift or drag on either side of the wings. Such imbalances can severely complicate handling, especially during critical phases of flight like takeoff, landing, and in turns, potentially resulting in dangerous flight characteristics such as a stall or uncontrollable yaw.

The other potential consequences, while serious, do not directly relate to the immediate effects of asymmetric de-icing. Structural damage could occur if the de-icing process is mishandled overall, but it’s not primarily connected to the symmetry of the treatment. Fuel inefficiency and engine failure are also less immediate effects and would not be the direct outcome of asymmetrical de-icing, making aerodynamic problems the most relevant consequence.