On June 25, 1985, a Cessna 310L (registration N222MR) was involved in an aviation accident near Albany, OR. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a landing attempt, the pilot tried to bracket the low bar VASI to avoid a long landing. The landing gear struck unmarked powerlines, then the aircraft hit the ground level, causing a small fire in the left tip tank. The VASI was later found properly aimed.
Incident Narrative
The pilot was executing a landing approach and attempted to bracket the low bar on a two-bar visual approach slope indicator (VASI) to avoid landing long on the runway. While on final approach, the aircraft's landing gear struck powerlines that were not marked. After the collision with the powerlines, the aircraft struck the ground in a level attitude. A small fire then ensued in the left tip tank of the aircraft.
Post-Accident VASI Inspection
A four-degree VASI had been installed at the airport to provide obstacle clearance over the powerlines during final approach. Following the accident, the VASI was inspected and found to have been aimed properly, indicating that the system was providing the correct glidepath information at the time of the incident. The powerlines were unmarked, and the landing gear contact with them initiated the accident sequence. The aircraft impacted the ground with its attitude level, and the resulting fire was contained to the left tip tank.