Weather Briefings and Preflight Decisions
The pilot obtained two weather briefings prior to the flight, both of which indicated icing conditions along the route to Hays, the first landing location. Additionally, the briefings included a SIGMET for reported moderate-to-severe icing in freezing rain below 4,500 feet mean sea level. The pilot telephoned dispatch and the chief pilot to discuss the weather. The consensus among them was that the weather had not developed as forecast and that the adverse weather appeared to be east of Hays.
Descent and Icing Encounter
While descending into Hays, the airplane accumulated ice rapidly. The pilot did not see the airport at the minimum descent altitude (MDA) and executed a missed approach. During the missed approach, the pilot was unable to climb out of the icing conditions. The airplane subsequently settled to the ground with full power applied.
Aircraft Equipment
The airplane was not equipped for flight into known icing conditions. It did incorporate Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA2573CE, which installs synthetic rudder strips on the leading edges of the wings and tail. The anti-icing "shoes" are sprayed with glycol to help prevent ice buildup if icing conditions are encountered in flight. The pilot stated that the owner represented the STC as meeting Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 135.227 for flight into icing conditions.