HDG TRACK DEV WHEN A GA PLT MAKES A 180 DEG TURN TO ESCAPE THE ICE FORMATIONS BUILDING ON HIS ACFT NEAR FAM; MO.

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DEPARTED KC61 ON AN IFR FLT PLAN WITH DEST OF ICT. RECEIVED WX BRIEF FOR PLANNED RTE FROM DTN AND PLANNED FLT AT 4000 FT MSL (FREEZING LEVEL FORECAST AT 6000 FT AND ABOVE). WHILE ENRTE AT 4000 FT MSL; 15-20 NM W OF THE FAM VOR; OUTSIDE AIR TEMP DROPPED TO 0 DEGS C AND PRECIP TURNED FROM RAIN TO ICE PELLETS. REQUESTED LOWER TO 3000 FT MSL AND WAS APPROVED TO DSND. AFTER LEVELING TO 3000 FT MSL; OUTSIDE AIR TEMP DECREASED TO -3 DEGS C. ACFT BEGAN ACCUMULATING ICE (LIGHT TO MODERATE). ATTEMPTED CONTACT WITH ATC BUT DUE TO OTHER TFC; NO CONTACT WAS POSSIBLE. I BEGAN A 180 DEG ESCAPE MANEUVER TO GET OUT OF THE ICING CONDITION. PASSING 90 DEGS OF TURN; I WAS ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH ATC AND INFORM HIM OF MY ACTIONS. THE CTLR INFORMED ME THAT WHILE IFR; I MUST ALWAYS INFORM HIM FIRST BEFORE TAKING ANY ACTION OR DEVIATING FROM A CLRNC. THIS WAS JUST PREACHING TO THE CHOIR. I HAD TO MAKE THE TURN IMMEDIATELY TO PREVENT A DANGEROUS SIT FROM DEVELOPING. I AM NOT SURE WHAT OTHER ACTION COULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN AS PIC UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. I LANDED AT THE NEAREST AVAILABLE ARPT (FAM) AND WENT HOME THE NEXT DAY.