9.2 Weather Hazards
In an accident case study by AOPA Air Safety Institute (2021), the impact of icing and freezing conditions on flight was examined. In 2018, a Cirrus SR22 suffered a fatal accident as a result of icing. The pilot had unknowingly flown into icing conditions, which requires visible moisture and temperatures below freezing, without any deicing equipment on the aircraft. The pilot communicated with air traffic control, attempting to fly above or below the cloud layers to avoid icing conditions. The pilot even asked air traffic control to divert and his "conversation with ATC indicate[d] that he understands the severity of the situation and decided his best course of action [was] to get on the ground" (Air Safety Institute, 2021). Unfortunately, it was too late and as the ice accumulated to a dangerous point, the pilot lost control of the aircraft and impacted terrain. Investigating aviation accidents resulting from weather brings attention to hazardous situations and allows pilot