Incident Overview
A certified flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot were involved in an incident where the aircraft was unable to maintain altitude due to ice accumulation. The event occurred approximately 30 minutes after departure. The aircraft subsequently disappeared from radar, followed by a loss of communications.
Weather and Aircraft
Before takeoff, the CFI received a pre-takeoff weather briefing that included a forecast of moderate icing conditions. The aircraft was equipped with a heated pitot tube but was not certified for flight into icing conditions.
Sequence of Events
After takeoff, the aircraft was in flight for about 30 minutes when it became unable to maintain altitude because of ice accumulations. The pilot was receiving radar vectors to a nearby airport at the time. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft disappeared from radar, and communications were lost.
Pilot and Student Accounts
In a post-crash interview, the pilot stated that the landing gear extended automatically and he was unable to retract them, and he indicated that this condition contributed to his failure to maintain altitude. However, the student pilot on board reported that the CFI successfully retracted the landing gear, but the airplane still could not maintain altitude.