Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power transmission lines. Contributing to the accident was the power transmission lines.
NTSB 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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CHI08CA176 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 6, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Clontarf, Minnesota
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Aero Commander S2R
- N-number
- N5519X
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.