PA-28R Cherokee Arrow All Series
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 25; Flight Crew Total 201; Flight Crew Type 50
Situational Awareness
Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Procedure; Weather
Initial forecast (TAF) was for light icing from surface to 10;000 feet during original arrival time at destination. Due to delayed departure; subsequent TAFs pushed forecast icing to a later time so I thought I could make it in without icing. However; forecast was for light drizzle and ceilings were forecast to be 800 feet OVC. About 50 miles out from destination; encountered precipitation at 4;000 feet MSL; VMC; negative icing. Requested descent to 3;000 feet MSL to stay clear of clouds. Entered broken cloud layer and encountered light rime icing at 3;000 feet MSL during descent towards destination. Requested climb to 4;000 feet MSL from Approach Control; made climb; and took a vector away from icing; but still towards destination. Continued to intercept ILS and encountered additional icing on approach. Broke out of weather at 500 feet AGL; light rain; made a no flap ILS approach and landing; and landed without incident.Upon post-flight inspection discovered significant (approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch) mixed (rime and clear) icing on all forward surfaces; except for pitot tube (heated); prop; and windshield (heated). Initial precipitation; which I perceived to be negative icing; may have in fact started to accumulate ice on forward surfaces. Temps were +1 at the time; so it is a possibility that even though I couldn't see it (white airplane); ice was accumulating; especially on tail where I have no visibility. If I could have remained clear of clouds from then on; it would have been fine; but since I entered IMC conditions; the situation only got worse and I put myself in a bad situation. I was fortunate to have a responsive ATC Approach Controller and the ability to climb/maintain control. My get-home-itis certainly affected my judgement. As soon as I encountered the precipitation at the temperatures I was in; knowing the bad weather in front of me; I should have turned then to an alternate destination.
PA-28 Pilot on an IFR flight encountered precipitation and icing at 4;000 feet and 3;000 then took vectors to and ILS approach during which additional icing was encountered. After landing; 1/4 to 1/2 inch ice accumulation was found on all forward aircraft surfaces; but not on heated windshield.