Rockwell Aero Commander 500

Operator:

Connie E. Bowman

Registration:

N6244B

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Fort Worth - San Antonio - Laredo

MSN:

500-652-13

YOM:

1958

Location:

Laredo

Texas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

310

Captain / Total hours on type:

142.00

Circumstances:

While approaching Laredo area by night, the pilot encountered marginal weather conditions with low ceiling and limited visibility. He completed several turns when the airplane entered a dive and crashed. The airplane was totally destroyed upon impact and all seven occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent after the pilot initiated flight in adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot became lost/disoriented,
- Spatial disorientation,
- Low ceiling,
- Haze,
- Dark night,
- VFR flight not recommended,
- During last 11 minutes of flight, heading changed thru 630°.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B in Great Falls: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 6, 1978 at 0251 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N6112X

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Helena - Great Falls

MSN:

500-963-18

YOM:

1960

Location:

Great Falls

Montana

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3166

Captain / Total hours on type:

650.00

Circumstances:

The pilot, sole on board, was completing a night cargo flight from Helena to Great Falls. On approach, he encountered poor weather conditions when the airplane struck the ground and crashed few miles short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were below minimums.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with ground on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fog,
- Visibility half a mile or less,
- Failed to establish on approach certification specification,
- Excessive approach speed,
- Excessive descent rate,
- Descended below minimums.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 in La Paz

Date & Time: Jul 14, 1978

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

CP-1064

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On final approach to La Paz-El Alto Airport, the twin engine airplane struck the ground about one km short of runway threshold. It slid in a field and came to rest against a stone wall. All occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B in Salisbury: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 31, 1978 at 1116 LT

Type of aircraft:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Operator:

Registration:

N313UT

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Salisbury-Wicomico County

Schedule:

Salisbury - Knoxville

MSN:

500-1183-93

YOM:

1962

Location:

Maryland

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5600

Captain / Total hours on type:

2412.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Salisbury-Wicomico County Regional Airport, while climbing, the pilot reported a double engine failure and attempted to return for an emergency landing. On final, while turning back to airport with the left throttle at idle, the airplane stalled and crashed half a mile short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Double engine failure during initial climb and subsequent stall and crash due to improperly serviced aircraft by ground crew. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel contamination - exclusive of water in fuel,
- Improper fuel grade,
- Operational supervisory personnel: inadequate supervision/training of ramp crews,
- Failure of both engines,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- High obstructions,
- Kerosene mixed with 100LL.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500A near Solvang: 7 killed

Date & Time: Feb 28, 1978 at 1030 LT

Type of aircraft:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Operator:

Security Air Transport

Registration:

N6143X

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Visalia – Santa Maria – Santa Barbara

MSN:

500-931-26

YOM:

1960

Location:

Solvang

California

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

17770

Captain / Total hours on type:

2440.00

Circumstances:

While cruising under VFR mode, the crew encountered limited visibility due to low ceiling and ground fog when the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located near Solvang. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all seven occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain after the crew continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Ground fog.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B in Miles City: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 5, 1978 at 0205 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N6308U

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Billings – Miles City – Wolf Point

MSN:

500-1309-121

YOM:

1963

Location:

Miles City

Montana

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3414

Captain / Total hours on type:

416.00

Circumstances:

After his departure from Miles City Airport, while climbing by night over an unlighted area, the pilot was cleared to climb to 6,000 feet. At a relative low altitude and high speed, the left wing outboard section failed and detached. Out of control, the airplane dove into the ground and crashed in a field. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Airframe failure in flight and uncontrolled descent after the pilot diverted attention from operation of aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Exceeded designed stress limits of aircraft,
- Airframe - wings: other,
- Separation in flight,
- Overload failure,
- Fire after impact.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B near La Mercedes: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 4, 1977

Type of aircraft:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Operator:

Citrex

Registration:

LV-HLE

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

MSN:

500-1127-73

YOM:

1961

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances into a mountain in the region of La Mercedes. All four occupants were killed.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B in Twin Falls

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1977 at 0355 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Central Air Charter

Registration:

N223LH

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Twin Falls – Boise – Twin Falls – Pocatello – Boise – Twin Falls

MSN:

500-1528-188

YOM:

1965

Location:

Twin Falls

Newfoundland & Labrador

Country:

Canada

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4963

Captain / Total hours on type:

63.00

Circumstances:

While descending by night to Twin Falls, both engines stopped simultaneously. Due to loss of speed, the airplane lost height. The pilot elected to make an emergency landing when the airplane struck power cables and crashed in a snow covered field. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Double engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Collision with wires/poles,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Miscalculated fuel consumption,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- High obstructions.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 in Fontana: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 7, 1976 at 0750 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Hripsimee Marsubiam

Registration:

N6242B

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Torrance - San Bernardino

MSN:

500-655-15

YOM:

1958

Location:

Fontana

California

Country:

Region: