Flight Planning and Weather Briefing
The pilot obtained a full Direct User Access Terminal (DUATS) weather briefing the night before the accident, which was not valid for the time of the accident. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued AIRMET Zulu update 3 for icing and freezing level data, valid from 1445 CST until 2100 CST. The advisory warned of occasional moderate to mixed icing in clouds and in precipitation between 3,000 and 8,000 feet. The departure airport and the accident site were within the boundaries of the advisory.
On the day of the flight, the pilot requested an abbreviated DUATS weather briefing at 1244 EST for his route between Birmingham, Alabama, and Orlando, Florida. The in-flight advisories were to expire at 1500 CST. The briefing provided information on several adverse weather phenomena along the route, including icing, turbulence, and thunderstorms. The pilot later stated he was not aware of AIRMET ZULU UPT 3, which was issued by the NWS before he departed Birmingham. The airplane was equipped with an XM Satellite radio; the AIRMET was transmitted by the NWS and over the XM radio installed in the airplane.
Flight and Encounter with Icing
The airplane is not certified for flights into icing conditions. The pilot stated the flight departed from runway 24, and he contacted the air traffic controller on the radio. The airplane was identified by radar, and the pilot was instructed to climb to 7,000 feet direct to Hande intersection. The airplane entered the clouds at 5,000 feet on autopilot, climbing at 120 knots. Upon reaching 7,000 feet, the airplane encountered icing conditions. The pilot informed the controller that he would like to climb to 9,000 feet, which was approved.
Stall and Spin
As the airplane reached the cloud tops in visual flight conditions at 8,000 feet, it began to buffet. The pilot looked at his airspeed indicator, which indicated 80 knots. The airplane stalled, entered a spin, and descended back into instrument flight conditions.
Parachute Deployment and Descent
The pilot deployed the ballistic parachute system and informed the air traffic controller of his actions. The airplane descended under the parachute canopy into the trees.