What happened
During a flight conducted under visual meteorological conditions with limited visibility, the pilot encountered freezing rain approximately five miles south of the airport. While cruising at 1,200 feet MSL, the aircraft type experienced rapid ice buildup across the wings, airframe, and windshield. In an effort to escape the icing conditions, the pilot attempted an altitude change; however, as accumulation persisted, a decision was made to return to the airfield.
During the approach for landing, the aircraft struggled to maintain its flight level even at full engine power. The pilot reported that any banking maneuvers triggered pre-stall buffet symptoms. Consequently, the pilot opted to divert the landing to a frozen lake located south of the airport. During the final flare and touchdown phase, the left wing stalled, causing the plane to strike the ground before reaching the surface of the lake.
Post-accident inspections of the aircraft revealed a half-inch layer of clear ice covering both the upper and lower airfoil surfaces, extending from the leading edges to nearly half of the chord. Additionally, all antennas were found to be coated in roughly half an inch of clear ice. The aircraft lacked comprehensive de-icing equipment, possessing only pitot and windshield heat.
Findings
Investigation into the circumstances revealed that the pilot did not have access to official weather information before departing, as the airport's FAA AWOS-3 was non-functional at the time. Observations from a local weather observer were taken five miles away from the primary station. The 0 fatalities and 0 injuries reported were noted alongside the fact that severe ice accumulation significantly degraded the aircraft's aerodynamic performance.