Incident Overview
A pilot flying under instrument flight rules (IFR) encountered clouds containing clear ice during a cross-country flight. The ice accumulated rapidly while the airplane was in cruise flight at 16,000 feet.
Descent and Icing Conditions
The pilot requested and received clearance to descend progressively to lower altitudes in an attempt to exit the icing conditions, eventually reaching 10,000 feet. However, the airplane continued to accumulate ice. The pilot then requested a turn, which was denied by the air traffic controller because two other airplanes in the vicinity were experiencing similar icing problems. Subsequently, the pilot requested and received clearance to descend to 9,000 feet, where he could see portions of the ground.
At that altitude, both windshields were completely covered with clear ice, as were the unprotected portions of the aircraft. Both engines were operating at full power. The pilot informed the controller that he needed to descend further.
Attempt to Reach an Airport
At 7,500 feet, the pilot circled several times, attempting to determine if he could reach an airport for landing. No ice had melted or come off the airplane, and the weather was deteriorating.
Emergency Landing and Power Line Strike
The pilot decided to land on a highway. During the final approach to land, the airplane collided with a power line, which severed the upper half of the rudder and vertical stabilizer. The pilot turned the airplane slightly left and landed with the landing gear down in a terraced field next to the highway. During the landing roll, the landing gear was sheared off when the airplane encountered a ditch.
Pilot's Statement
The pilot stated that he had no forward visibility due to the clear ice that completely covered the windshields.