Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FL in Savoonga

Date & Time: Feb 19, 1977 at 1050 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N112NA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Nome - Savoonga
MSN:
680-1750-145
YOM:
1968
Location:
Savoonga
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
19076
Captain / Total hours on type:
321.00
Circumstances:
While descending to Savoonga, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions when the airplane struck the ground few miles from the airstrip. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed. The accident occurred in whiteout conditions (IMC conditions) with a 500 feet ceiling.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain in traffic pattern-circling after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Ice propeller,
- Airframe ice,
- Whiteout conditions,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Low ceiling,
- Visibility below minimums.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Los Establos

Date & Time: Feb 8, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N6287D
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
680-591-229
YOM:
1958
Location:
Los Establos
Granada
Country:
Nicaragua
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane suffered an engine failure in flight and the pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a cotton field located near Los Establos and came to rest. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680E in Mineral

Date & Time: Dec 9, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Andan G. Oscar
Registration:
N344V
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
680-0770-46
YOM:
1959
Location:
Mineral
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While completing an illegal drug transportation flight, the pilot elected to land on a private terrain when the airplane struck power cables and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and pilot was not found.
Probable cause:
Collision with wires/poles after the pilot failed to see and avoid objects or obstructions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- High obstructions,
- Illegal flight,
- Aircraft believed burned by pilot.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FL off Barcelos: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 9, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Taxi Aéreo João Jorge
Registration:
PT-CGS
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Manaus - Santa Isabel do Rio Negro
MSN:
680-1334-19
YOM:
1963
Location:
Barcelos
Amazonas
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Manaus on a taxi flight to Santa Isabel do Rio Negro-Tapuruquara Airport, carrying three technicians from a Mining Company and two pilots. En route, unknown technical problems forced the crew to reduce his altitude and to divert to Barcelos Airport. On approach, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the Río Negro River and quickly sank by strong currents. All five occupants were killed.

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

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1976 at 1550 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Wayne W. Johnson
Registration:
N680FP
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Wenatchee - Seattle
MSN:
680-1322-135
YOM:
1963
Location:
Fall City
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:
950
Circumstances:
The pilot started the descent to Seattle-Boeing Field Airport when the left engine failed. The airplane entered a dive, went through the clouds and crashed in flames in Fall City. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent following an in-flight powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improper operation of flight controls,
- Cause of feathered propeller could not be found,
- Observed spinning out of clouds.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680T in Alapaha: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 8, 1976 at 0500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Aircraft Investors
Registration:
N601G
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Houston - New Orleans
MSN:
680-1605-44
YOM:
1966
Location:
Alapaha
Georgia
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:
2850
Captain / Total hours on type:
40.00
Circumstances:
After passing New Orleans (the destination Airport) by night, the airplane continued to the southeast for 375 miles when both engines stopped. The airplane entered a dive and crashed near Alapaha. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of both engines in flight following a fuel exhaustion and uncontrolled descent. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Pilot incapacitation,
- Alcoholic impairment of efficiency and judgment,
- Pilot fatigue,
- Pilot overflew destination by 375 miles,
- Blood alcohol level 1,5‰,
- Drops of fuel only in dividers.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Sinclair

Date & Time: May 15, 1976 at 1157 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N6275D
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Scottsbluff – Eugene
MSN:
680-0544-213
YOM:
1957
Location:
Sinclair
Wyoming
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4518
Captain / Total hours on type:
780.00
Circumstances:
While cruising VFR on top on a flight from Scottsbluff to Eugene, the right engine failed. The pilote reduced his altitude to attempt an emergency landing and descended through adverse weather. After gears and flaps were extended, the airplane crashed in an open field. The pilot was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Conditions conducive to carburetor icing,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Snow,
- Propeller not feathered.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680F in Fort Myers: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1976 at 1638 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Andy Jackson Yacht & Aircraft
Registration:
N770W
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
680-1038-54
YOM:
1961
Location:
Fort Myers-Page Field
Florida
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:
5202
Circumstances:
On approach to Fort Myers-Page Field Airport, one of the engine failed. The airplane lost height, hit power cables and crashed few miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Engine malfunction on approach following a fuel starvation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Collision with wires/poles,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Inattentive to fuel supply,
- Fuel starvation,
- High obstructions,
- Fuel selectors on LH and RH outboard wing tanks, no fuel in these tanks.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Owensville: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1975 at 0905 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Gail L. Bazzano
Registration:
N108E
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Saint Louis - Vichy
MSN:
680-954-19
YOM:
1960
Location:
Owensville
Missouri
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:
1126
Captain / Total hours on type:
180.00
Circumstances:
While cruising in poor weather conditions (fog and rain), the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a spin and crashed in a field. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation in flight following a failure of the electrical system (inverter). The following contributing factors were reported:
- Rain,
- Fog,
- The two aircraft inverters were not rotating at impact,
- Instrument fragmentation precluded instrument investigations.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Pagosa Springs: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 28, 1975 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Philip Bruce Davis
Registration:
N6221D
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Pagosa Springs - Burbank
MSN:
680-489-159
YOM:
1957
Location:
Pagosa Springs-Stevens Field
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
1600
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff from Pagosa Springs Airfield, while climbing, the right engine failed. The pilot was able to feather the propeller but the airplane lost height and crashed in flames in a canyon. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Airport conditions,
- High density altitude,
- Flew into blind canyon,
- Right engine quit, propeller feathered,
- Aircraft hit canyon wall,
- High obstructions at end of runway,
- Density altitude 7,400 feet.
Final Report:
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