Flight History
The pilot departed in visual meteorological conditions (VMC) toward the destination airport. As the flight progressed, the cloud base began to lower and visibility decreased. Unable to maintain VFR, the pilot obtained an IFR clearance and was instructed to climb to 2,000 feet, then to 4,000 feet.
Inflight Icing
While climbing from 2,000 feet to 4,000 feet, ice accumulation was noticed on the windshield of the airplane. After leveling at 4,000 feet, the ice accumulation continued. The pilot then descended back to 2,000 feet, where no further ice accumulated.
Approach and Landing
On approach, as the airplane descended through a cloud layer about 500 feet from the ground, the ice began to shed from the airplane. Due to ice remaining on the windshield, the pilot had difficulty judging the distance to the runway and had to look through the side window of the airplane to maintain visual reference with the ground. The airplane touched down hard on the runway, and the main landing gear pushed up through the wings.
Investigation Findings
Records revealed that the pilot did not obtain a weather briefing from Flight Service Station (FSS). An AIRMET had been issued for light occasional moderate rime and mixed icing in clouds and precipitation below 22,000 feet along the pilot's route of flight.