Incident Overview
A pilot reported that while operating in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), the airplane began accumulating ice on the wings and windshield. The pilot notified air traffic control (ATC) and requested a diversion. ATC vectored the airplane to a nearby airport for an instrument approach.
The Landing Event
After completing the instrument approach, as the airplane descended to about 10 feet above the runway, it stalled and contacted the runway with significant force. The pilot subsequently taxied the airplane to the ramp without further incident.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage as a result of the hard landing.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Reference to Icing Effects
The Federal Aviation Administration's Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, FAA-H-8083-25B, includes a section titled "Stalls" which notes that as little as 0.8 millimeter of ice on the upper wing surface increases drag and reduces aircraft lift by 25 percent.