FTW98LA078

The pilot encountered snow and instrument meteorological conditions after departure from Malvern, Arkansas. He became lost and elected to fly toward the Springdale Airport, Springdale, Arkansas, using the Razorback VORTAC. While diverting to Springdale, the pilot informed his passengers that the aircraft was going to 'run out of gas.' Approximately 2.5 miles north of the Springdale Airport, the engine lost power. A forced landing was initiated, and during the landing roll, the aircraft went through a barbed wire fence and the right wing struck a tree. The amount of fuel onboard the aircraft prior to departing Malvern was undetermined. Examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed no evidence of usable fuel in the fuel tanks. Repeated attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, were unsuccessful.

On December 28, 1997, at 1300 central standard time, a Beech 35 airplane, N2815V, owned and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Springdale, Arkansas. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the cross country flight. The non-instrument rated private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. The flight had departed Malvern, Arkansas, at 1050, and was enroute to Siloam Springs, Arkansas.

According to the pilot, snow and IFR conditions were encountered when the flight reached the Arkansas River, about 50 nautical miles south of Springdale. He became lost and flew around for an undetermined period of time trying to locate his position. He then tuned in the Razorback VORTAC, which is located at Springdale, and tracked inbound to it. While IMC and tracking to the Springdale Airport from the VORTAC, the pilot alerted his passengers that they were going to "run out of gas." Approximately 2.5 miles north of the Springdale Airport, the engine lost power. A forced landing was initiated, and during the landing roll, the aircraft went through a barbed wire fence and the right wing struck a tree.

There were no refueling records obtained by the NTSB Investigator In Charge, the amount of fuel onboard the aircraft upon departing Malvern could not be determined. However, the pilot reported that the he refueled the aircraft at Siloam Springs earlier that day.

Examination of the aircraft by a FAA inspector revealed that the right wing's leading edge was crushed aft to the main spar, and the left wing's leading edge had some dents. Examination of the aircraft's fuel tanks revealed that there was no fuel in the left tank, and only unusable fuel in the right and auxiliary fuel tanks.

Repeated attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, were unsuccessful.