Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Debagner

Date & Time: Nov 5, 1975
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Adnas Air Service
Registration:
ET-ADQ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
680-841-69
YOM:
1959
Location:
Debagner
All Ethiopia
Country:
Ethiopia
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing, the twin engine airplane went out of control and came to rest in a ravine. All six occupants were injured.

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 into the Pacific Ocean

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1975
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-DHF
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Pago Pago - Honolulu
MSN:
680-1429-71
YOM:
1964
Location:
Pacific Ocean
All World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a positioning flight from Pago Pago to Honolulu. While approaching Honolulu from the south, the crew informed ATC about the failure of both engines and reduced his altitude in an attempt to ditch the aircraft about 100 km south of Honolulu. Both pilots were quickly rescued while the airplane sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion. It is believed that the fuel quantity was insufficient to cover the distance or that the crew encountered strong headwinds, increasing the fuel consumption.

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Rochester

Date & Time: Feb 19, 1975 at 0932 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
G-ASHI
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Rochester - Woodford
MSN:
680-658-255
YOM:
1958
Location:
Rochester
Kent
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8237
Captain / Total hours on type:
509.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3615
Circumstances:
After takeoff from runway 03 at Rochester City Airport, while climbing to a height of 900 feet, the left engine gradually lost power. The pilot increased power on the right engine and feathered the left propeller. After passing over the M2 highway at a speed of 100 knots, he expected to return to the airfield when the right engine lost power as well. He attempted an emergency landing by the motorway and the airplane crash landed at a speed of 85 knots before coming to rest. All four occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by kerosene being placed in a petrol supply at Rochester City Airport. The aircraft, which had been refuelled with the mixed product from the supply, suffered a loss of engine power after takeoff. Thus led to a forced landing in difficult circumstances on unsuitable terrain. The loss of engine power resulted from damage to the engines due to their being run on contaminated fuel.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 off Palm Beach

Date & Time: Feb 9, 1975 at 1020 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Nancy M. Ackley
Registration:
N680LP
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Winter Haven - Marsh Harbour
MSN:
680-323-17
YOM:
1956
Location:
Palm Beach-Intl
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:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2435
Captain / Total hours on type:
457.00
Circumstances:
En route from Winter Haven to Marsh Harbour, Bahamas, the pilot informed ATC that the left engine caught fire. He reduced his altitude and ditched the airplane few miles off Palm Beach. The airplane sank and was lost while the pilot, sole on board, was rescued. The wreckage was not recovered.
Probable cause:
Engine failure or malfunction during normal cruise for undetermined reasons. The following findings were reported:
- Fire in engine,
- Aircraft ditched due to engine fire following failure of left engine,
- Wreckage not found.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Feb 5, 1974 at 0705 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Court Insurance Company
Registration:
N46832
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Cincinnati - Fort Lauderdale
MSN:
680-3177-142
YOM:
1964
Location:
Cynthiana
Kentucky
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
1400
Circumstances:
While cruising by night at an altitude of 16,000 feet, the twin engine airplane went out of control, entered a dive and crashed in a near vertical attitude in a field located in Cynthiana. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. However, it was reported that control was lost shortly after the pilot informed ATC he was climbing from FL150 to FL170.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680F near Sells: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1974 at 1754 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Al Harmon
Registration:
N2500T
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Desert
Schedule:
Tucson - Tucson
MSN:
680-1158-98
YOM:
1962
Location:
Sells
Arizona
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:
2498
Captain / Total hours on type:
98.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Sells, Arizona, the twin engine airplane was flying at a very low altitude (30 feet above the ground) when it struck a cactus and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot failed to see and avoid objects or obstructions. The following factors were reported :
- Unwarranted low flying,
- High obstructions,
- Hit cactus at 30 feet AGL,
- $ 5,270 cash found at accident site.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680E in Birmingham: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 22, 1973 at 1228 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N277LP
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Birmingham - Birmingham
MSN:
680-775-48
YOM:
1959
Location:
Birmingham
Alabama
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:
1500
Captain / Total hours on type:
500.00
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a local flight in Birmingham. On approach, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed few miles from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following factors were reported:
- Misjudged distances, speed and altitude,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Observed nose high,
- Slow flight conditions,
- Aircraft last flown 8 September 1973.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Rancho Alegre

Date & Time: Nov 1, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
CP-1003
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Rancho Alegre
Beni
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, an engine failed. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in a swampy area in Rancho Alegre. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FL in Van Nuys: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1973 at 1021 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Western Commander Aviation
Registration:
N7377B
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Van Nuys - Fullerton
MSN:
680-1402-57
YOM:
1964
Location:
Van Nuys
California
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:
16000
Captain / Total hours on type:
3500.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Van Nuys Airport, while climbing, both engines stopped simultaneously. The pilot informed ground and completed a 180 turn to attempt an emergency landing when the airplane stalled and crashed few miles from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of both engines caused by a fuel exhaustion. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Fuel selectors found on empty auxiliary tanks.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Furnas: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 7, 1973 at 2200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
PT-CLD
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
680-1596-206
YOM:
1966
Location:
Furnas
Minas Gerais
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
By night, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties and was unable to takeoff from Furnas Airport. It overran, struck trees and eventually crashed against a bridge. Both pilots and four passengers were killed while two others were injured.
Subscribe to Rockwell Grand Commander 680