Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 26; Flight Crew Total 2807; Flight Crew Type 1150
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Diverted
Weather
During descent on an IFR flight plan we were cleared to 4;000 feet MSL. We entered the clouds at 4;300 feet MSL. After a couple minutes I noticed light rime ice forming on struts and wheel fairings. I informed ATC of the ice and requested lower knowing freezing level was 3;000 feet MSL. ATC was working 2 other aircraft not in our vicinity so there was a delay getting back to me. In the meantime we entered an area where mixed ice was rapidly accumulating. I again informed ATC; this time specifically stating we were picking up heavier ice and we needed lower now. We were cleared to 2;600 feet MSL. At that altitude I had ground contact looking straight down but we were still in IMC and still rapidly accumulating ice. Our airspeed was 89 kts with full power; we had heavy ice build up on the wings. Windshield was iced over. At that point I made the decision request priority handling and was immediately given instruction 'altitude your discretion.' We descended and broke out at 2;300 feet MSL into VFR conditions approximately 12 miles from ZZZ. We cancelled IFR flight plan and proceeded VFR to ZZZ where we landed safely.
C182 instructor reported severe icing resulting in an immediate descent to exit the conditions.