Aero Commander S2R N8835Q

Summary

On 5 June 2007 at about 15:52 local time, a Aero Commander S2R registered N8835Q, operated by Taylor Ag Services, Inc., was involved in an accident near Watford City, North Dakota, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 June 2007 at 15:52

Classification

Accident

Location

Watford City, North Dakota, United States

Nearest airport

Watford City Muni (S25)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Aero Commander S2R

Registration

N8835Q

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Taylor Ag Services, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Watford City → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI07LA162

1 person died.

The agricultural pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain while maneuvering to avoid power lines. The power lines were a contributing factor in the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The operator reported that the airplane was loaded with approximately 300 gallons of liquid insecticide and estimated the takeoff weight of the airplane was between 7,200 and 7,300 lbs. A few minutes prior to the accident, the pilot radioed that he was going to divert to another field because there were individuals near the field he was about to spray. No additional radio transmissions were received from the accident pilot. A witness, who was working an oil field west of the accident site, stated that the airplane appeared to be making normal spray runs before he lost sight of the airplane behind a hill. He noticed smoke about four to five minutes later and contacted local law enforcement to report the accident. The main wreckage was found immediately adjacent to an unimproved, east-west access road that ran between two agricultural fields. Power lines were located about 50 feet south of the main wreckage that ran parallel to the access road. A ground scar began approximately 21 feet north of the power lines and led up to the main wreckage. Portions of the left wingtip's navigational lens were found at the initial point of impact. The main wreckage remained upright and was facing south. A fan-shaped debris field, about 80 feet long, continued away from the main wreckage on a northwest heading. It appeared that the pilot was most likely maneuvering to avoid the power lines when ground collision occurred. A majority of the aircraft was destroyed by the post-impact ground fire. The on-scene investigation did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies that would have prevented the normal operation of the airframe, engine, or its associated systems.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.