In-Flight Breakup After Icing Encounter at FL190 (N531J)

Incident Overview and Icing Report At 1325 MDT, the pilot reported encountering icing conditions while in cruise flight at flight level 190. Air traffic control cleared the pilot to deviate from course and assigned a block altitude from FL190 to FL210 to allow an altitude change. When queried, the pilot stated that about 1/4 inch of rime ice had accumulated. ## Loss of Control and In-Flight Breakup At 1332 MDT, the pilot transmitted an unintelligible remark about his gyro instruments and said he was turning “south toward St George.” Shortly thereafter, he transmitted that he had lost control and the airplane was going down. The airplane broke up in flight, and wreckage was found scattered over about a 1.2 mile area. ## Wreckage Distribution and Examination Pieces of the left aileron and the outer portion of both wings were found at the farthest point from the resting place of the main wreckage. An examination revealed that the outer portion of both wings had separated in a positive and aft direction. Examination of the airframe and engines did not disclose any mechanical problems.