A C172 PVT PLT ENCOUNTERS CLR ICING ON THE WINGS AND WINDSHIELD WHILE IN VMC AT 2000 FT MSL 10 MI E OF MIV; NJ.

Narrative

I WAS TRANSPORTING THE ACFT TO MIV FOR ROUTINE MAINT. I TOOK OFF FROM INY AND CLBED TO 2000 FT FOR THE SHORT (16 MI) FLT. TEMP ON THE GND WAS 45 DEGS F; CEILING WAS ABOUT 5000 FT MSL AND VISIBILITY WAS UNRESTR. UPON REACHING CRUISE ALT; I WAS ABLE TO SEE MIV. THE WX APPEARED TO BE CLR. UPON REACHING 1/2 WAY TO MIV; I NOTICED CLR ICE FORMING ON THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO APPARENT VISIBLE MOISTURE. I MUST HAVE FLOWN INTO AN AREA OF MILD FREEZING DRIZZLE THAT WAS INVISIBLE TO THE EYE. THE TEMP WAS APPROX 32 DEGS F; AND I WAS IN THE CLR; BUT THE ICE CONTINUED TO FORM. I WAS SURPRISED; BUT DECIDED TO DSND INTO WARMER AIR AND BEGAN TO SET UP TO LAND. I ESTIMATED ABOUT 1/4 INCH OF CLR ICE FORMED ON THE WINDSHIELD AND LEADING EDGES OF THE WINGS. AT 500 FT; NO FURTHER ICE FORMED; BUT IT DIDN'T MELT OFF EITHER. THE DEFROSTER CLRED A SMALL AREA OF THE WINDSHIELD SO I WAS ABLE TO SEE. RATHER THAN MANEUVER THE ICED UP AIRFRAME; I DECIDED TO MAKE A HIGHER PWR STRAIGHT-IN APCH AT MIV; WITHOUT FLAPS. THE ICE BEGAN TO MELT OFF ON SHORT FINAL (ABOUT 300 FT). I LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. I WAS SURPRISED THAT I ACCUMULATED ICE WITHOUT ANY APPARENT VISIBLE MOISTURE; IN GOOD VMC. I PREVIOUSLY DIDN'T THINK THIS WAS POSSIBLE. ALL PLTS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS POTENTIALLY SERIOUS ICING THREAT.