Pre-Flight and Briefing
A pilot contacted a flight service station (FSS) specialist to file an instrument flight plan. The pilot stated that he had onboard weather and did not need a weather briefing. The FSS specialist did not provide information about adverse weather conditions along the route of flight, as required by FAA directives.
En Route Weather Encounter
The pilot departed on the cross-country flight. While en route, the pilot told the air traffic controller that he needed to deviate around weather. The air traffic controller was aware of thunderstorms along the pilot's route of flight, as well as an icing report north of his position, but did not advise the pilot of this known weather information, as required by FAA directives. The pilot continued and then stated that they had an emergency due to icing conditions.
Stall and Spin
Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident showed that the pilot encountered rime/mixed icing of at least moderate intensity, in convection. Thunderstorms were in the area and turbulence was also possible. The airplane then stalled and entered a spin. There was no evidence that the pilot attempted to activate the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), although activation of the system is the only approved recovery of the airplane after its entry into a spin.
Post-Accident Examination
Weather information transmitted to the airplane's onboard weather system contained weather forecasts of icing, turbulence, and thunderstorms. Whether or not the pilot reviewed this information could not be determined. Testing showed that a fluid line of the anti-icing system could disconnect at higher pressure; however, under normal system pressure the line stayed secured. No other mechanical anomalies were identified during the examinations.