Date: 202103
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: IMC
Weather elements / visibility: Fog; Icing; 5
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: RV-10
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: None
Mission: Personal
Flight phase: Cruise
Airspace: Class E ZZZ; Class G ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Center ZZZ3
Aircraft component: Pitot-Static System
Component problem: Improperly Operated; Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Single Pilot
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Human factors: Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence; Inflight Event / Encounter VFR In IMC
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Human Factors; Weather; Procedure
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: Was flying to ZZZ from ZZZ1 for aerial sightseeing trip in newly built (72 hrs) RV-10. Have always wanted to fly over the Canyon. Approximately 75% of the way there; conditions began to slowly deteriorate. Reported ceilings at destination were fine; and from nearest weather reporting airport (ZZZ2). But no weather reported in between on my route. Clouds kept getting lower and terrain kept rising. About 40 miles from ZZZ; I should have turned back to ZZZ2 and landed. But; I was under the clouds and could see the ground just fine. Conditions kept getting worse; then better; then worse then better. I pressed on. At one point; I found myself getting too close to ground (about 1;000 ft AGL) when the clouds 'engulfed me'. I was now in IMC. I should have turned around; but decided that I could see some sunlight peeking through and decided to climb up to get on top of clouds and out of possible rising terrain. At 10;300 [ft.] I still was in IMC conditions. Decided then to get an air-born clearance for IFR into ZZZ. I contacted ZZZ3 Center; and proceeded to get clearance for RNAV [Runway] XX into ZZZ. I was being vectored for entry into approach when auto pilot suddenly disengaged; I lost airspeed indication and my AOA stall warning buzzer was going off! When I informed controller of the situation that just erupted; he [provided assistance] to help get me down. It was VERY unsettling! It took a good 4 minutes to realize that these things were happening due to a frozen pitot tube! I live in [the] south and NEVER have to worry about freezing temps. In the current situation; I didn't' realize outside temps had fallen to 27 degrees. When I finally realized what happened; I turned on pitot heat; and airspeed indication was restored within 10 seconds. I was then vectored for a visual approach and landed safely at ZZZ.What led to situation? Bad decision making. I should have turned around before getting into full bore IMC. I think my instrument rating gave me TOO MUCH confidence. Entering IMC unexpectedly; put me behind the airplane and my situational awareness deteriorated to near zero! I also found myself overwhelmed when alarms went off and auto pilot kicked off and in trying to figure out why; I failed to 'aviate' the airplane. At one point I realized I was in a steep left turn (about 45 degrees) which could have led to more problems. Once I saw this; I did correct; but it could have ended in a loss of control quickly!Another lesson is to WATCH the temps! A frozen pitot might not have become my only problem. I realize now I was also at risk for ice on wings. Another dangerous situation. Many lessons learned; but main one is to not push limits in unfamiliar terrain. I should have turned around and avoided the layering of consequences that followed from that one bad decision.




Synopsis: Pilot reported loss of situational awareness and entering an unusual attitude after inadvertently entering unforecast IMC conditions and icing.