M-20 K (231) / Encore
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 40; Flight Crew Total 1800; Flight Crew Type 800
Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Communication Breakdown
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Weather
I entered the cloud tops; and immediately began to pick up light; possibly moderate rime ice. My airplane is not equipped for flight in icing conditions. No icing was forecast; the OAT was -6C. I told Center I needed higher (FL220) for ice; but my transmission was apparently blocked. Because of the situation; I started the climb. As soon as I could; I told the controller what I needed; and he cleared me to FL220; admonishing me not to climb without a clearance. Under the circumstances; I would do the same again. I had seen no traffic on the in-cockpit displays; and Center had not called higher traffic (either oncoming or overtaking.)
M20 pilot at FL200 encounters icing conditions and requests a climb from ATC but is apparently blocked by another transmission. A climb is initiated before another attempt is made to obtain clearance; resulting in an admonishment from the Controller involved.