NTSB Factual Report

On January 31, 2001, about 0901 central standard time, a Piper PA-23-250, N6754Y, piloted by an airline transport pilot, sustained substantial damage on contact with a power line and subsequent impact with terrain while circling for runway 23 at Elton Hensley Memorial Airport (FTT), near Fulton, Missouri. Visual Meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating on an IFR flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from FTT at 0837, was destined for Alfred Schroeder Field Airport, and was returning to FTT at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated, "Several checks of weather, including pilot reports less than 15 minutes prior to the actual departure, reported ceilings in the departure area of 900 to 1,200 feet (AGL) with visibilities between 3 to 6 miles. The pilot reports in the Columbia/Jefferson City, Missouri reported negative icing and tops between 6,000 and 8,000 MSL. Weather was reported to improve to marginal VFR 40 miles to the west in the Sedalia, Missouri area and VFR in the Kansas City, Missouri and Eastern Kansas areas. Weather at the destination was reported to be VFR with high cirrus clouds. … During the climb through 3,000 to 4,500 MSL I built about 1/8 inch of rime ice. Leveling at 8,000 MSL I was still in the clouds. The low level of light indicated that the tops were well above me. When Kansas City Center acknowledged me I asked if they had any top reports in my area. Kansas City Center informed me that the tops were 20,000 MSL and verified this with another aircraft at 20,000 MSL. Since the reported weather and pilot reports were not accurate, I elected to return and land as soon as possible. While departing FTT and during my climb Mizzu Approach was working aircraft south of Columbia (COU) which would have delayed the return. Also, I knew upon departing Fulton (FTT) the airport was at least marginal VFR facilitating the approach and return. Therefore, I requested the VOR/DME RNAV RWY 5 approach to Fulton (FTT). During the decent between 4,500 and 3,500 MSL the aircraft built and additional 1/8 inch of rime ice. I executed the approach and began a circle to land entering a close left downwind for Runway 23 remaining within 1 mile from the runway. As I turned final it was difficult to see the runway because of the ice on the windshield. The Runway 23 VASI was out of service and only one small red ball was left on the towered power lines northeast of the Runway 23 threshold. At about 1500 UCT the airplane struck the top ground line on the towered power lines. Applying appropriate control inputs to counter the damage to the aircraft, the airplane came to rest upright in a plowed field on the centerline of Runway 23 about 2,000 feet from the threshold."

The pilot reported no airplane mechanical malfunction failure with this flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from the power line during the circling approach. Factors were the power transmission wire, the plowed field, and that the pilot's lookout was not possible through the built up ice on the windshield.