Accident Sequence
The airplane was in cruise flight when it encountered moderate icing conditions. The pilot reported to air traffic control on several occasions that the airplane had accumulated structural ice. Due to degraded aircraft performance, the pilot passed several airports before ultimately deciding to divert to a nearby airport. During the diversion, the pilot told ATC, "we're gonna need vectors...we're not gonna make it up there, we're already in stall mode, for this airplane is full of ice." The airplane subsequently impacted trees and terrain approximately 4.3 nautical miles south of the airport.
Weather and Icing Conditions
The accident occurred at night in instrument meteorological conditions. An AIRMET for icing conditions had been issued, indicating occasional moderate rime and mixed icing while in clouds and precipitation below 15,000 feet msl. Several pilot reports (PIREPs) indicated moderate rime and mixed icing between 2,500 and 6,000 feet msl.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was not equipped with deicing equipment and was not approved for flight into known icing conditions. The aircraft's pilot operating handbook states that, "Flight into icing conditions is prohibited."