What happened
During a preflight weather briefing, the pilot was advised that icing conditions were forecast below 16,000 feet along the intended route of flight, which involved flying between two frontal systems. The pilot was also informed that several inbound aircraft had previously encountered icing at 9,000 feet. Based on this information, the pilot filed for and received an instrument clearance to fly at a minimum enroute altitude (MEA) of 11,000 feet.
Approximately 34 minutes after takeoff, the pilot reported that the aircraft was picking up ice and that the pitot/static system had iced over. Because the pilot was unable to climb to the assigned MEA, an approach clearance for a nearby airport was issued. While cruising at altitudes between 9,200 and 9,700 feet—below the required 11,000-foot MEA—the pilot reported continued heavy icing and an opaque windshield. At the time of the report, the aircraft was 17.9 miles from the airport.
In July 1995, the aircraft was located 14.5 miles and 353 degrees from the airport. This location did not correspond to any federal airway or route structure associated with the instrument approach procedure being used. The pilot had received an instrument rating only three weeks prior to the accident.