This flight was IMHO doable in a 16k ceiling plane. But much hangs on the detail.
Not in an aeroplane with no de-icing capability, it wasn't.
I would disagree (in principle). If you can climb to VMC on top, de-ice equipment is irrelevant. The trick is to not collect ice on the way up, or on the way down.
This is how IFR capable pilots fly European airways routinely. They don't sit in IMC, collecting ice.
None of the best-selling IFR tourers (mostly SEPs) can fly in moderate icing for say 5 hours.
De-ice kit gets used at the ends of the route. If one cannot climb/descend without risk of collecting too much ice, the flight has to be scrapped, though this is obviously not a clear decision.
The only experienced pilots who fly in IMC enroute are those flying >2000kg piston twins and who want to avoid IFR route charges
Decency prevents me saying too much but, sadly, this accident comes as no surprise to those who knew Gary.
Well, could well be. If you know him - do you know if he had an IR? It would help illuminate this sad accident.