Incident Details
A pilot operating a flight from Charleston, West Virginia, to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, encountered significant icing conditions during the return leg. Prior to departure, the pilot had received a weather briefing indicating potential icing, and during the initial flight, mixed and rime ice were encountered but successfully removed by the deicing equipment.
Flight and Weather Conditions
For the return flight, the pilot did not obtain an updated weather briefing. After takeoff, the pilot leveled the aircraft at 7,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL). Approximately 22 minutes later, the pilot requested a lower altitude due to heavy icing conditions. Air traffic control cleared the aircraft to 6,000 feet, then to 5,000 feet, but the aircraft remained in icing conditions. An attempt to climb to 9,000 feet was unsuccessful.
Diversion and Landing
The pilot then diverted toward Gaylord, Michigan, and received clearance to descend to 3,500 feet. While at an altitude of about 900 feet above ground level (AGL), the pilot sighted the airport but was unable to maneuver the aircraft to align with a runway. Eventually, at an altitude of approximately 50 feet AGL, the pilot leveled the wings and landed straight ahead. During the landing rollout, the aircraft collided with trees.