PA32 pilot experiences icing and descends to warmer altitude.

Attributes
ACN	714827
Time
Date	200610
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	navaid : bqs.vor
State Reference	KS
Altitude	msl bound lower : 6000 msl bound upper : 7000
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC VMC
Weather Elements	Ice
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zkc.artcc
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	PA-32 Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	climbout : initial
Route In Use	departure : on vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : commercial pilot : multi engine
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 15 flight time total : 2500 flight time type : 500
ASRS Report	714827
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : radar
Events
Anomaly	inflight encounter : weather
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	controller : issued new clearance flight crew : exited adverse environment
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Weather Flight Crew Human Performance
Primary Problem	Weather

Narrative:

Departed into 3500 ft overcast. Prior PIREP indicated tops at 6000 ft; icing negative. Climbed to 6000 ft with no ice; at approximately 6200 ft accumulated 1/2 inch rime ice during continued climb to 7000 ft. Requested and was granted descent to 4000 ft. Pitot iced over (subsequent evaluate shows only 1 of 2 heater elements was working in pitot mast). Experienced substantial stabilator buffet; but able to climb and maintain altitude with no problem. Asked for descent to 3000 ft and canceled IFR. Flew for over 1 hour at 1000 ft AGL before ice melted off.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA32 PLT EXPERIENCES ICING AND DSNDS TO WARMER ALT.

Narrative: DEPARTED INTO 3500 FT OVCST. PRIOR PIREP INDICATED TOPS AT 6000 FT; ICING NEGATIVE. CLBED TO 6000 FT WITH NO ICE; AT APPROX 6200 FT ACCUMULATED 1/2 INCH RIME ICE DURING CONTINUED CLB TO 7000 FT. REQUESTED AND WAS GRANTED DSCNT TO 4000 FT. PITOT ICED OVER (SUBSEQUENT EVAL SHOWS ONLY 1 OF 2 HEATER ELEMENTS WAS WORKING IN PITOT MAST). EXPERIENCED SUBSTANTIAL STABILATOR BUFFET; BUT ABLE TO CLB AND MAINTAIN ALT WITH NO PROB. ASKED FOR DSCNT TO 3000 FT AND CANCELED IFR. FLEW FOR OVER 1 HR AT 1000 FT AGL BEFORE ICE MELTED OFF.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of January 2009 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.