Rockwell Grand Commander 680

Geographical / Geophysical / Scientific

Operator:

IFG Leasing Company

Registration:

N5003E

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Albany - Lancaster

MSN:

680-1737-144

YOM:

1968

Location:

Rexville

New York

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3100

Circumstances:

The airplane departed Albany on an air pollution monitoring program flight to Lancaster, carrying two passengers and one pilot. En route, while cruising in marginal weather conditions, the pilot encountered severe turbulences when control was lost. The airplane crashed in Rexville, killing all three occupants.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled collision with ground during normal cruise due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot continued flight into known areas of severe turbulences,
- Turbulences associated with clouds and thunderstorms.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FL in Phoenix

Date & Time: May 29, 1979 at 1717 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N783EF

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Las Vegas - Phoenix

MSN:

680-1392-51

YOM:

1964

Location:

Phoenix-Sky Harbor

Arizona

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2255

Captain / Total hours on type:

100.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Phoenix-Sky Harbor Airport, while completing a cargo flight from Las Vegas, both engines lost power. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the airplane lost height and crashed short of runway threshold. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and both pilots were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with ground on final approach after the airplane encountered vortex turbulences. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel starvation,
- Failure of both engines,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Violent wingrock on final uncovered fuel sump pickups allowing air to enter fuel lines.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FL in Bern

Date & Time: May 27, 1979 at 1753 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

HB-GCT

Flight Phase:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Florence - Geneva

MSN:

680-1634-29

YOM:

1967

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5120

Captain / Total hours on type:

420.00

Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane departed Florence-Peretola Airport on a charter flight to Geneva-Cointrin Airport, carrying six passengers and one pilot. While cruising over the Alps at an altitude of 16,000 feet, the pilot was cleared by ATC to divert to Bern-Belp Airport as he thought his fuel reserve was insufficient. On final approach to runway 32, the airplane was unstable. With an excessive rate of descent, the twin engine airplane struck the ground 29 meters short of the threshold of runway 32. Upon impact, the airplane went out of control and crash landed on runway. All seven occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

It was determined that all tanks have been refueled prior to departure at Geneva-Cointrin Airport for both legs as no fuel was available at Florence Airport. As a precaution, the pilot preferred to divert to Bern Airport for a safe landing. It was determined that both engines were running properly at impact, confirming that there was no fuel exhaustion. The accident was the consequence of an unstable approach completed with an excessive rate of descent in atmospheric turbulences. The rate of descent to runway 32 is fixed at 2° according to published procedures.

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680E in Pendleton

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1979 at 0138 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Boise Air Services

Registration:

N6872S

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Portland - Pendelton - Boise

MSN:

680-0392-72

YOM:

1956

Location:

Pendleton

Oregon

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1777

Captain / Total hours on type:

679.00

Circumstances:

On a night approach to Pendleton Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and failed to realize his altitude was too low when the twin engine airplane struck the ground and crashed few miles from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with ground on approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to initiate go-around,
- Misread or failed to read instruments,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Visibility two miles or less.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FP in El Reno: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1979 at 1010 LT

Type of aircraft:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Operator:

Ronald L. Quibell

Registration:

N2177M

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

El Reno - New Orleans

MSN:

680-1170-89

YOM:

1962

Location:

El Reno

Oklahoma

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

12138

Circumstances:

After takeoff from El Reno-Regional Airport, while climbing in foggy conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed few miles from the airfield. All three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Loss of control during climb to cruise after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Visibility one mile or less.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Oklahoma City: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 28, 1978 at 1745 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Kenneth L. McMillin

Registration:

N6818S

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

Oklahoma City-Clarence E. Page

Schedule:

Oklahoma City - El Reno

MSN:

680-324-18

YOM:

1956

Location:

Oklahoma

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2155

Captain / Total hours on type:

400.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Oklahoma City-Clarence E. Page Airport, while climbing, the copilot declared an emergency following an engine failure and was cleared to return. The airplane lost height and while attempting an emergency landing, the crew lost control of the airplane that crashed few miles from the airfield. A pilot was killed while the second occupant was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Stall on final approach due to engine failure caused by the failure of master and connecting rods. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fatigue fracture,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Failed to retract landing gear,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Partial loss of power one engine,
- Complete engine failure one engine,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Conrod failed on left engine,
- Pilot aware of 800-1,000 rpm magneto drop on right engine,
- Flaps and gears down,
- Aircraft unairworthy.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Corralito

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1978

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Norberto Salmon

Registration:

CP-1087

Flight Type:

Site:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances. Occupant fate unknown.

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FL near Guadalupe: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 19, 1978

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

W. C. Wilcox

Registration:

N6315U

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

680-1359-37

YOM:

1963

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed 8 km from Guadalupe en route to San Luis Potosí. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

It is believed the accident was the consequence of a double engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680F in Memphis

Date & Time: Aug 22, 1978 at 1905 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Hawk Aviation

Registration:

N680RG

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Memphis - Memphis

MSN:

680-1020-49

YOM:

1961

Location:

Memphis

Tennessee

Country:

Region: