Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500A near Safford: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 2, 1972 at 1730 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Alpine Aviation
Registration:
N140X
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Fire fighting
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Safford - Safford
MSN:
500-1268-91
Location:
Safford
Arizona
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
7589
Captain / Total hours on type:
48.00
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local fire control mission. En route, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in the region of Safford, killing both occupants.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in mountainous terrain for undetermined reason. No witnesses to steep nose down impact.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Apr 22, 1972 at 0127 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
J&H Supply Company
Registration:
N6319U
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Gary - Atlanta
MSN:
500B-1384-138
YOM:
1964
Location:
Atlanta-William Berry Hartsfield
Georgia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
1012
Captain / Total hours on type:
4.00
Circumstances:
The pilot departed Gary, Indiana, with known deficiencies in equipment and encountered technical problems with instruments en route to Atlanta. On approach to Atlanta-William Berry Hartsfield Airport by night and poor weather conditions (low ceiling, fog and rain falls), he descended below the MDA when the airplane struck trees and crashed in College Park, about a mile short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- Attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Low ceiling, rain and fog,
- Aircraft radios operated intermittently while enroute,
- Descended below MDA on ILS approach,
- One hour dual in type.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 near Noxon: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 8, 1972 at 1315 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Red Carpet Flying Service
Registration:
N2776
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Topographic
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Walla Walla - Libby
MSN:
500-693
YOM:
1958
Location:
Noxon
Montana
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
5131
Captain / Total hours on type:
57.00
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a mapping/photo mission from Walla Walla (Washington) to Libby, Montana. While cruising in poor weather conditions, the crew lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed in the region of Noxon. The wreckage was found June 16, 1972. The aircraft was totally destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent caused by improper in-flight decisions or planning on part of the crew. The following factors were reported:
- Conditions conducive to carburetor/induction system icing,
- Ice-carburetor,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Airframe ice,
- Complete failure of both engines,
- Flew into icing conditions beyond capability of aircraft deicing systems.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Mar 3, 1972 at 0310 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
N6298X
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Rochester - Batavvia
MSN:
500B-1388-141
YOM:
1964
Location:
Rochester
New York
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
3100
Captain / Total hours on type:
520.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Rochester-Greater Rochester Airport, while climbing by night, the pilot made a low level turn immediately after liftoff. Control was lost and the airplane crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Improper in-flight decisions or planning. The following factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- Pilot fatigue,
- Pilot had flown 8 hours in last 24.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500A in San Diego: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 21, 1971 at 1757 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
N11MK
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
San Diego - San Diego
MSN:
500-894-3
YOM:
1960
Location:
San Diego-Montgomery-Gibbs
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
2000
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from San Diego-Montgomery Field, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. It flew into a 136 feet electrical tower located about 4,200 feet from the runway end. Then it hit power lines, trees and crashed into a house. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot misjudged altitude and clearance after takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B in Trostberg: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 25, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
OE-FAG
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Trostberg
Bavaria
Country:
Germany
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
En route from Austria to Germany, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity. He decided to reduce his altitude and attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in a hill terrain located near Trosberg. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500A in Ried: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 16, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
D-IFLY
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
500-1062-45
YOM:
1964
Location:
Ried
Bavaria
Country:
Germany
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
En route, the twin engine airplane suffered an explosion, dove into the ground and crashed in an open field located in Ried, some 14 km southeast of Augsburg. The airplane was totally destroyed and the pilot, sole on board was killed. The exact cause of the explosion and subsequent loss of control remains unknown.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B off North Madison: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 15, 1971 at 1415 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Command Air - USA
Registration:
N707CA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Ashtabula - Cleveland
MSN:
500-1143-79
YOM:
1962
Location:
North Madison
Ohio
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2650
Captain / Total hours on type:
250.00
Circumstances:
While flying along the coast of Ohio, the pilot encountered technical problems with the right engine. He decided to shut it down and to feather its propeller but mistakenly shut down the left engine. The airplane lost speed then entered a dive and crashed into Lake Erie off North Madison. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right magneto in flight. The following factors were reported:
- Improper maintenance (maintenance personnel), servicing and inspection,
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls,
- The pilot feathered the wrong engine,
- Failure of both engines,
- Wrong cap screws to secure the right engine magnetos,
- Inadvertent feathering of left propeller in flight, left engine found operable.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B in Jackson: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 12, 1971 at 1810 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Racran Corporation
Registration:
N6254X
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Jackson - Jackson
MSN:
500-1123-70
YOM:
1961
Location:
Jackson-McKellar Sipes
Tennessee
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
4162
Captain / Total hours on type:
1510.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Jackson-McKellar Sipes Airport, the pilot encountered foggy conditions. The pilot decided to reduce his altitude and passed below the minimum descent altitude when the airplane struck trees and crashed three miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot failed to follow the approved procedures. The following factors were reported:
- Improper IFR operation,
- Overcast at 400 feet and fog,
- Descended below MDA of 760 feet approximately 3 miles before runway threshold.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Jan 9, 1971 at 1931 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Mission Drywall Company
Registration:
N8473C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Hillsboro – Spokane
MSN:
500-801
YOM:
1959
Location:
Carson
Washington
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
516
Captain / Total hours on type:
207.00
Circumstances:
On a night flight from Hillsboro to Spokane, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, freezing rain and a visibility limited to 3 miles. Despite the situation, he decided to continue under VFR mode when few minutes later, he lost control of the airplane that crashed near Carson. The wreckage was found three days later. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot continued under VFR flight into adverse weather conditions and attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Airframe ice,
- Low ceiling,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain,
- Flew into known icing conditions,
- Aircraft not de-icer equipped.
Final Report:
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