Incident Overview
According to the pilot, while flying cross-country in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) at 11,000 feet mean sea level (msl), he encountered rime icing conditions. He requested and received clearance to descend to 8,000 feet msl. After obtaining local weather, he decided to divert to a nearby airport, where the reported conditions were: ceiling 100 feet, visibility 4 miles, wind 165 degrees at 6 knots.
Approach and Contact
Upon contacting approach control, the pilot received vectors for runway 04. At approximately 4,400 feet msl, while established on the glide slope and localizer, the aircraft struck something, resulting in a complete loss of radio communication. The pilot immediately initiated a missed approach.
Post-Incident Communications
Approximately one hour later, the pilot reestablished radio contact with approach control, who then vectored the aircraft to runway 22 at another nearby airport. The pilot reported breaking out of the clouds at approximately 200 to 300 feet above ground level (agl) on a 45-degree angle to runway 22. He landed at 2230 without further incident.
Aircraft Examination
An examination of the airplane revealed several scratches along the bottom of the aft fuselage and empennage. These "braided" scratches were similar to those associated with contacting a power transmission line. Additionally, several areas on the bottom of the airplane exhibited burns and "arcing." The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the aft fuselage bulkhead and lower tail cone assembly.