CHI93LA287

With lower than expected fuel gauge readings, the pilot decided to land at Neosho to check the fuel quantity. Unable to activate the runway lights, the pilot was on final approach to land without lights, when he impacted power lines after losing total engine power. The aircraft proceeded to impact two trees and a barbed wire fence. Further investigation found less than 1/2 quart of total fuel in the fuel system and tanks.

On July 27, 1993, about 0100 central daylight time, a Cessna, C210; N761DD sustained substantial damage when the commercial pilot collided with power lines. The pilot was uninjured. The 14 CFR Part 135 flight originating from Fargo, North Dakota was operating with an IFR flight plan on file in visual meteorological conditions.

En route to Springdale, Arkansas, passing over Neosho Memorial Airport, Neosho, Missouri, the pilot noticed that the fuel gauge indications were lower than what he felt should have been in the fuel tanks. The pilot decided to land at Neosho Memorial Airport to check his fuel condition.

After numerous attempts, the pilot was unable to activate the runway lights by clicking the radio microphone switch. He continued to circle the airport and tried unsuccessfully to activate the lights with a different radio and microphone. The pilot decided to land without runway lights.

About one-quarter mile from the airport, while on final approach to Runway 19, the aircraft lost total engine power.

The pilot reported that the VASI (visual approach slope indicator) lights were operational and that he was on glide slope when the engine lost power.

Investigation of the accident revealed that aircraft struck and severed two (2) 12,000 volt electrical power lines, then struck a tree at the left wing root-fuselage juncture which severed the left wing. The aircraft rotated to the left and the right wing struck a tree approximately six (6) feet from the wing tip. The fuselage continued to travel in a southeasterly direction which caused the right wing and cabin top to depart the fuselage. A small fire erupted at the base of the tree below the left wing and burnt an approximate 2 square foot area of grass and caused smoke damage to the wing. No evidence of fuel spillage was noted in the grass and weeds.

Two of three blades on the prop bent and barbed wire wrapped around the spinner and blades. The windshield was missing but intact with what appeared to be cable strike marks on the right side. The left wing showed tree impact damage at inboard end and ground strike damage at outboard end, along with smoke damage. The right wing and cabin top sheared off at the door post areas and wire strike damage and tree impact damage on the leading edge was visible. The left stabilizer and elevator separated from the fuselage. The right stabilizer and elevator buckled. The fuselage was bent, buckled, and twisted.

A container was placed under the fuel strainer to catch any fuel when the strainer was removed. A small amount of fuel consistent with the strainers capacity was found. No fuel was found in the wing tanks. The estimated total amount of fuel retrieved is less than 1/2 quart.

The engine was rotated with no indication of internal mechanical damage, all cylinders had compression and the ignition system was operational.