On March 28, 2003, a Beech A36 (registration N1636W) was involved in an aviation accident near New Vienna, IA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The improper planning/decision by the pilot to fly into forecast icing conditions with an airplane not equipped with a certified deice system. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported light rime icing and then encountered moderate to severe icing before the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and impacted terrain southwest of an en route airport.
Accident Overview
The aircraft impacted terrain during an uncontrolled descent from cruise flight about 22 nautical miles southwest of an en route airport. Just prior to loss of radar and radio contact with air traffic control, the pilot was initiating a climb to a higher altitude from which he had previously descended. He reported light rime icing and stated he wanted to get between what he described as layers.
Weather Conditions
Weather data and information indicated that the airplane encountered occasional light rime or mixed icing after the pilot reported light rime icing. Later, it encountered a patch of supercooled large droplets and accumulated moderate to severe icing before its uncontrolled descent. An AIRMET for occasional moderate rime or mixed icing was issued for an area that included the accident route of flight.
Pilot Information
The pilot logged a total actual instrument time of 39.7 hours since receiving his instrument rating in 1982. He logged 2.7 hours of instrument time in the last 90 days and 1.9 hours in the last 30 days before the accident.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was not equipped with a wing deice system and did not have a current pitot static system check. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any anomalies which would have precluded normal operation.