Within 5 minutes of takeoff, having exceeded the holdover time, crew must either return to deice again or perform __________.

• A. a postflight check
• B. a pre-takeoff contamination check
• C. a holdover time re-evaluation
• D. a wing de-ice spray test

Answer: (D)

Holdover time defines the window after deicing/anti-icing during which the aircraft is expected to remain free of significant contamination. If that time has been exceeded within five minutes of takeoff, you can’t rely on the previous application to guarantee a safe takeoff. The crew must either redo the deicing/anti-icing and reapply fluids, or perform a holdover time re-evaluation to determine if the current contamination level and conditions still allow safe takeoff without additional deicing. A wing de-ice spray test is not a standard step for this decision, and a postflight check or a pre-takeoff contamination check wouldn’t address a HOT expiry during the run-up toward takeoff.