Cessna 172RG N9771B accident near Albany, Ohio

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to initiate and continue the flight into known icing conditions with an airplane not properly equipped for flight into icing conditions which exceeded the capabilities of the airplane.

NTSB analysis

The non-instrument rated pilot was in visual meteorological conditions above the clouds and requested a descent through the clouds under instrument flight rules (IFR). The air traffic controller asked if the pilot was qualified to operate in IFR conditions and the pilot responded that he was qualified. During the descent, the airplane accumulated ice. The pilot had been made aware of the possibility of icing conditions during two preflight briefings, an in-flight weather update, and by the controller who relayed pilot reports of ice accumulation. The airplane was not approved or equipped for flight in icing conditions. As the rate of ice accumulation increased, the pilot requested to divert to another airport. The controller issued radar vectors and subsequently cleared the pilot for an instrument approach to that airport. Later, the pilot communicated that he had the airport in sight and canceled his IFR clearance. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and the ground about 1/4 mile from the airport.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10LA126 for the full record.