Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander

While cruising at an altitude of 37,000 feet on a flight from El Paso to Toluca, the was cleared to climb to 41,000 feet to avoid a thunderstorm area. Shortly later, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed near the village of Las Carboneras. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

On December 14, 1995, about 0014 central standard time N503U, an Aero Commander 1121, operated by American Air Network crashed about 10 miles North of Guatemala City, Guatemala, while on a 14 CFR Part 135 on-demand, international, cargo flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an IFR flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot and co-pilot received fatal injuries. The flight had originated from Miami, Florida about 2200 the previous day. The crew executed three instrument approaches to the Guatemala City Airport, and reported to controllers on duty that they were low on fuel and could not proceed to their alternate airport.

Following a long takeoff roll from Córdoba-Pajas Blancas Airport runway 36, the crew started the rotation and the aircraft adopted a low rate of climb. It collided with trees located past the runway end, stalled and crashed in a wooded area located 2 km from the runway end, bursting into flames. A pilot was seriously injured while eight other occupants were killed.

The aircraft was completing a charter flight from Kingston, Jamaica, to Houston, Texas, with an intermediate stop in Cozumel, Quintana Roo, carrying six passengers and a crew of six. The approach to Cozumel Airport was initiated at dusk and under VFR mode when, on short final, the aircraft struck approach lights and crashed 503 meters short of runway 29 threshold. A pilot was killed while the second one was seriously injured. All six passengers escaped with minor injuries.

Aircraft entered an area of forecast moderate icing. Ice detection system had been intermittently inoperative. The aircraft entered holding in icing conditions while checking flight inspection equipment. Evidence indicated crew noted ice accretion, activated surface de-ice system, ice broke loose and entered engine intakes. Both engines flamed out. During emergency descent crew initially re-starts, but neither engine would sustain power. Crew requested vectors to more distant airport. Both pilots were seen drinking previous night. Copilot had recently lost drivers license for dui. Captain had decided to retire that day. Copilot had worked in flight ops 3 days in 8 weeks and had limited training in flight inspection. Both pilots had personal stresses which may have influenced performance. Captain's contaminated thoracic blood revealed 0.057% alcohol. Putrefaction would accentuated for part of alcohol level. Copilot had trace alcohol in urine only. Both engines showed compressor fod consistent with ice ingestion. No other aircraft system or engine malfunction found.

The pilot, executing an ILS approach, observed a primary hydraulic pressure drop and declared his intent to land without the use of flaps, speed brakes, reversers or nose wheel steering. The aircraft ran off the end of the runway during landing, traveled approximately 1,300 feet and came to rest on a golf course after striking two vehicles and a chain link fence. Post accident investigation revealed 0.8 quarts of hydraulic fluid (skydrol) in the reservoir. Reservoir capacity is 1.28 u.s. gallon. The pilot stated he pumped the brakes on approach to build pressure in the emergency brake system. The pilot announced he had no braked after touchdown. The Jet Commander 1121 operator's manual cautions against this practice. A functional check of the thrust reversers by on-scene investigators produced two complete cycles of operation. Two persons located in a ground vehicle were injured during the overrun landing.

On final approach to Many-Hart Memorial Airport, the crew was completing a right turn to 45° when the right wingtip fuel tank struck a tree. Out of control, the airplane stalled and crashed in a wooded area. A passenger was seriously injured while three other occupants were killed.

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.

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.

Following an uneventful flight from Oklahoma City, the twin engine airplane landed on runway 36 at Tullahoma-Northern Regional Airport. After touchdown, it was unable to stop within the remaining distance and overran the wet runway before colliding with trees. All seven occupants escaped with various injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.