What happens if a Cowl Anti-icing Duct ruptures?

• A. The escaping pressurized bleed air is contained inside the outer duct.
• B. Bleed air vents to the cockpit.
• C. Bleed air is diverted to the environmental system.
• D. The duct automatically seals and stops bleed air.

Answer: (A)

When the Cowl Anti-icing Duct ruptures, the system is designed so the hot, pressurized bleed air stays inside the duct assembly rather than escaping into the cockpit or out into the environment. The duct is built with an outer enclosure that acts as a safety barrier, so even if the inner flow path is breached, the air remains confined within the outer duct rather than venting to where people are or where it could cause damage. This containment helps prevent injury or interference with cockpit controls while the anti-ice function continues to rely on the bleed air supply. The other options describe outcomes that aren’t how the duct is designed to behave: venting to the cockpit would pose a burn hazard, diverting to the environmental system would alter cabin air handling in an unsafe way, and automatic sealing isn’t a standard response to a rupture in this duct.