15) IN FLIGHT ICING ACCIDENTS

Many fatal in-flight icing occurrences happen every year with needless loss of life and property. Most often the information was readily available concerning the freezing levels, or the pilot never checked this important part of the trip planning. On occasion, in-flight icing is far more severe than was forecast and only recent PIREPS relayed in a timely manner could help prevent a tragedy. Preflight planning and ADM is so important for aircraft with little or no de-ice or anti-ice capability. Inadvertent flight into severe known icing is almost always fatal and not survivable. If you do encounter airframe ice, make your decision to climb or descend early, including declaring an emergency and making an immediate descent without ATC clearance if necessary. Often times the ice can accumulate very quickly so time becomes critical.