What happened
Two pilots planned a formation flight intended to deliver an aircraft for service. Prior to departure, a weather briefing indicated that while VFR conditions were not required, pilots were advised of moderate rime and mixed icing conditions within clouds below 7,000 feet. Driven by a sense of urgency to deliver the aircraft, the pilots departed without filing a flight plan.
The flight leader, operating a Piper PA-32, registration N3212W, obtained weather information while en route and decided to divert to Mattoon Airport. During the descent through a layer of scattered clouds, the pilot applied carburetor heat; however, the engine suffered a loss of power. The aircraft subsequently struck trees and crashed.
The wingman reported being approximately 2,000 feet to the right of the lead aircraft as they entered the cloud layer, at which point he lost visual contact with the leader. He also reported encountering severe icing conditions and noted he was very close to the ground when descending below the clouds. Because the wingman's aircraft was not equipped with a radio, he could not locate the lead aircraft after descending. After navigating by a water tower at Marshall, the wingman landed safely.
At Terra Haute, Indiana, located approximately 15 miles east of the incident, weather conditions included an overcast ceiling of 1,100 feet and 5 miles of visibility in haze and fog.