Executive/Corporate/Business

Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

LC-30

YOM:

1960

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane departed Port-au-Prince on a flight to The Bahamas but failed to arrive as it crashed under unknown circumstances into the sea off The Bahamas. No trace of the aircraft nor both occupants was found.

Probable cause:

Due to lack of evidences, the cause of the accident could not be determined.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander in Winnipeg

Date & Time: May 26, 1978

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

C-FEYG

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

1121-081

YOM:

1966

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On final approach to Winnipeg Airport, the crew encountered local patches of fog when the airplane struck the ground and crashed short of runway 13 threshold. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Convair CV-880-22-2 in Miami

Date & Time: May 25, 1978 at 0755 LT

Type of aircraft:

Convair CV-880

Operator:

Groth Air

Registration:

N8815E

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Miami - Sint Maarten

MSN:

22-00-63

YOM:

1962

Location:

Miami-Intl

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

40000

Captain / Total hours on type:

8000.00

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll, at Vr speed, the captain pulled up the control column but the airplane failed to rotate. Decision to abandon the takeoff procedure was taken and the crew initiated an emergency braking maneuver. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran, lost its nose gear and came to rest 285 feet further. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Aborted takeoff and overran due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Gear collapsed,
- Improperly loaded aircraft, W&B and CofG,
- Operational supervisory personnel: deficiency, company maintained equipment, services, regulation,
- Overload failure,
- Forward CofG exceeded limit by 12,61%.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340 in Hollywood

Date & Time: May 18, 1978 at 1642 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 340

Operator:

Carlie W. Smith

Registration:

N711CS

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Hollywood-Burbank (Bob Hope)

Schedule:

Sacramento – Hollywood

MSN:

340-0066

YOM:

1972

Location:

California

Country:

Region:

Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3794

Captain / Total hours on type:

280.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Hollywood-Burbank Airport, one of the engine failed. The pilot decided to attempt an emergency landing when the airplane crash landed in a rough terrain located few miles from the airfield. All three occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure on approach due to low cylinder compression. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Controlled collision with ground,
- Attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Rough terrain,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Maintenance annual inspection refuse to license the aircraft due to low compression of both engines,
- Last annual record in December 1976.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander near Flatwoods: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1978 at 1548 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Universal Air Leasing

Registration:

N250UA

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Lafayette - Tulsa

MSN:

1121-121

YOM:

1967

Location:

Flatwoods

Louisiana

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Aero Commander 500

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

20000

Captain / Total hours on type:

20000.00

Circumstances:

En route from Lafayette to Tulsa, the crew was cleared to climb from FL230 to FL350 when the airplane disintegrated in the air. It entered an uncontrolled descent and eventually crashed in the region of Flatwoods. Debris were found on a wide area and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the in-flight disintegration was not determined. However, the following findings were reported:
- Flight control surfaces: elevator assembly, attachments,
- Flight control surfaces: horizontal stabilizer, attachments,
- Overload failure,
- Separation in flight,
- Loss of control occurred after leaving FL230 for FL350,
- General disintegration.

Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Mar 31, 1978 at 1116 LT

Type of aircraft:

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:

Florida Aircraft Leasing Corporation

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 Convair CV-340-38 in Elma

Date & Time: Mar 21, 1978 at 0145 LT

Type of aircraft:

Convair CV-340

Operator:

Registration:

N4807C

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Saint Louis - Minneapolis

MSN:

YOM:

1953

Location:

Elma

Iowa

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Turbo Commander 680/681

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

9000

Captain / Total hours on type:

5500.00

Circumstances:

En route from Saint Louis to Minneapolis, while cruising at an altitude of 6,000 feet, the right engine caught fire. The copilot declared an emergency and was cleared to divert to Elma Airport. Shortly later, the right engine detached. The crew completed an emergency descent but made a forced landing off airport on land. All four occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight due to master and connecting rods failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Material failure,
- Fire in engine,
- Oil exhaustion - engine lubrication system,
- Separation in flight,
- Complete engine failure,
- Force landing off airport on land,
- Engine separated from aircraft in flight due to fire damage.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Hawk Commander 681 in Greenup: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 8, 1978 at 1008 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Spad Aviation

Registration:

N5NP

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Milwaukee – Manchester – Huntington

MSN:

680-6042

YOM:

1970

Location:

Greenup

Kentucky

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

9154

Captain / Total hours on type:

1395.00

Circumstances:

En route, the crew encountered engine problems and was cleared to divert to Ashland Airport. While descending in marginal weather conditions (low ceiling, fog and icing conditions), the crew lost control of the airplane that crashed in a field located in Greenup, west of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were below minimums.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled collision with ground on final approach following a powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain,
- Partial loss of power on one engine,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Visibility half a mile or less,
- Weather conditions below minimums.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A90 King Air in Big Piney: 6 killed

Date & Time: Feb 27, 1978 at 1023 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 90 King Air

Operator:

Registration:

N878T

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Rangely – Big Piney – Evanston

MSN:

LJ-246

YOM:

1967

Location:

Big Piney

Wyoming

Country:

Region: