Flight and Weather Encounter
The pilot reported encountering unforecasted freezing rain during the flight. He questioned air traffic control about the weather and was informed that they were not showing any precipitation. The pilot requested and received a descent to a lower altitude to stay below the clouds.
Response to Ice Accumulation
As the airplane's airspeed continued to decrease, the pilot informed air traffic control that he wanted to divert to a nearby airport. He made two low passes over the airport while trying to clear ice off of the windshield. However, the windshield alcohol de-ice could not keep up with the ice accumulation.
Landing and Damage
The pilot stated that during the landing he had to look out of the side window because the windshield was obscured. Once he descended below the tree line, he was unable to accurately judge his height over the runway. He noted that this difficulty was compounded by the light color of the new concrete runway, which had snow blowing across it. A hard landing resulted, after which the pilot taxied the airplane to the ramp. The right wing strut was bent and the wing was pushed into the fuselage during the landing.