Airframe icing is a real concern for winter fliers.  Depending on the type of airplane you fly, you should be aware where ice is most likely to first appear.  NOTE: Most general aviation aircraft are not certified for icing conditions.
 
Generally, ice will form on the surface with the smallest radius.  In a Cessna 172, without wheel pants, look for rime ice to form  on the brake rotor first.  Also, check the J tube (fuel tank vent on left wing), and then look back at the horizontal stabilizer.  Ice will form on the wings after these smaller radius sites!   In freezing rain the ice forms all at once and is very heavy too.
 
If ice forms on the horizontal tail surfaces, the risk of losing pitch control is real and dangerous.  Remember the horizontal stabilizer is exerting downward lift that keeps the heavy nose up.  Lose that lift due to ice-disrupted airflow and you are coming down with little airspeed control.
 
Moral:  Avoid ice.  Check freezing levels before every winter flight even for VFR flights.