Pilot Actions
The pilot of Cessna P210N, registration N450T, contacted the FAA Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) at Millville, New Jersey, at 0857 Eastern Daylight Time to file an IFR flight plan from Morristown, New Jersey, to Bedford, Massachusetts, at an altitude of 5,000 feet. The pilot requested a standard weather briefing.
Weather Information
The briefer provided information from AIRMET Zule, Update 1, indicating the freezing level was at 10,000 feet, but noted that the freezing level around Boston was at 5,000 feet, stating "anything 5 and above you might pick up icing there." The pilot subsequently filed for 7,000 feet. At 0945 EDT, after the pilot had received the briefing, AIRMET Zulu, Update 2 was issued, calling for light occasional moderate rime and mixed icing in clouds and precipitation, with the freezing level from the surface to 4,000 feet north of the destination, sloping to 8,000 feet at the departure point.
Engine Failure and Collision
The pilot took off at 1035 EDT. Approximately 30 minutes later, the airplane's single turbine engine experienced a complete loss of power. The airplane descended in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and collided with trees during a forced landing.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact failure of the engine, airframe, fuel system, or propeller. The investigation determined that N450T was not certified for flight in known icing conditions, and the pilot did not use all anti-ice and deicing equipment as specified by the operator's manual. A pilot of another airplane that departed an airport near the accident site reported encountering icing at 7,000 feet but no icing after descending to 5,000 feet.