# NTSB CHI08CA176: Aero Commander S2R, N5519X, Clontarf, MN, July 6, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 6, 2008, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Clontarf, MN - Coordinates: 45.373332, -95.678611 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3733&lon=-95.6786&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68641 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA176 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68641/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA176 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power transmission lines. Contributing to the accident was the power transmission lines. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander S2R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=0143022), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander S2R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0143022), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Aero Commander S2R, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0143022), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aero Commander S2R, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0143022), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Aero Commander S2R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=0143022), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane impacted power transmission lines while on an aerial application flight. The airplane impacted terrain immediately after the wire strike and was destroyed during a post accident ground fire. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions prior to impacting the transmission lines. ## Factual narrative The airplane impacted power transmission lines while on an aerial application flight. The airplane impacted terrain immediately after the wire strike and was destroyed during a post accident ground fire. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions prior to impacting the transmission lines. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5519X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5519X-2013-04-25), registration cancelled 2013-04-25, S/N 1719R, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aero Commander S2R - Registry model: [Aero Commander S2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-s2r) (registry code 0143022) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1719R - Airframe hours: 7355.1 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Benson Air Ag, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2008 - Departed: BBB, Benson, MN - Destination: BBB, Benson, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2007; seat: single; flight hours: 15,374 total, 1,337 in this make and model, 14,824 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: BBB, 10 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20080706840709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080706840709A), Jul 6, 2008: Ayres S2R600, Benson, MN, Destroyed. As the pilot was spraying a wheat field, he failed to see the two seats of power lines at the beginning of the field. The pilot stated he saw the first two… ## Other investigations on N5519X (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB CHI03LA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA106), Apr 13, 2003: Aero Commander S2R (N5519X), Benson, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.