What happened
The flight was conducted for the purpose of instrument training. An IFR flight plan had been filed the previous evening, but no updated weather briefing was obtained prior to departure. At the time of the flight, current AIRMETs and pilot reports (PIREPs) indicated in-flight icing along the intended route and at the destination. The aircraft was not equipped with any de-icing or anti-icing systems.
Immediately before approach clearance was issued, another aircraft communicating on the same frequency reported encountering moderate icing. During a VOR approach to the destination, the cloud ceiling was observed to be 500 feet below the minimum descent altitude, necessitating a missed approach.
During the maneuver, the instructor radioed air traffic control multiple times to report that the aircraft was encountering icing conditions and that they were unable to maintain their assigned altitude. In response to the emergency, ATC issued progressively lower altitudes for the aircraft. The final emergency vectoring altitude provided by ATC was 2300 feet, based on the Emergency Obstruction Video Map (EVOM), which showed obstructions at that height in the area. While flying with the landing gear extended, the aircraft impacted trees at an elevation of 2000 feet. There were no injuries reported.