Crash of a Rockwell 1121A Jet Commander in New York: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 27, 1971 at 1955 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander
Operator:
Registration:
N400CP
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Burlington - Providence
MSN:
1121-30
YOM:
1965
Location:
New York
New York
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
9908
Captain / Total hours on type:
692.00
Circumstances:
While cruising by night over the State of New York on a flight from Burlington, Vermont, and Providence, Rhode Island, the twin engine airplane disappeared from radar screens without the pilots having been able to transmit all or part of an emergency message. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was ever found. It is believed that the aircraft may crash into Lake Champlain but again, no trace was ever found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander in Lexington: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 14, 1970 at 1917 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander
Operator:
Registration:
N100RC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Columbus – Lexington
MSN:
1121-060
YOM:
1966
Location:
Lexington-Blue Grass
Kentucky
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
5859
Captain / Total hours on type:
2070.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Lexington-Blue Grass Airport by night, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. In rain falls, the airplane was observed in a steep right bank descending then rolled to opposite direction before impact. The airplane was destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after the pilot-in-command suffered a spatial disorientation during a night approach in marginal weather conditions. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling and rain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell 1121B Jet Commander in Salt Lake City: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1969 at 0610 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander
Operator:
Registration:
N403M
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Salt Lake City - Seattle
MSN:
1121-132
YOM:
1969
Location:
Salt Lake City
Utah
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
9423
Captain / Total hours on type:
1195.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Salt Lake City Airport, the crew completed the rotation too early. The aircraft stalled then crashed in flames near the runway. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Premature liftoff on part of the flying crew. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- The pilot-in-command failed to obtain flying speed,
- Physical impairment,
- Crew fatigue,
- Improperly loaded aircraft-weight and/or CofG,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Obstructions to vision.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell 1121B Jet Commander in Stockholm: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 4, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander
Operator:
Registration:
SE-DCY
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1121-136
YOM:
1969
Location:
Stockholm-Bromma
Uppland
Country:
Sweden
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Bromma Airport, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. It stalled then crashed onto a building located by the airport. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and both crew members were killed. There were no casualties on the ground.
Probable cause:
It was reported that the total weight of the airplane at takeoff was at the limit of the tolerance as well as the CofG. Nevertheless, the crew took off with wings, tail and stabs contaminated by ice. Thus, the stall was aggravated by the combination of ice on wings and an excessive takeoff weight in such conditions.

Crash of a Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander in Rural Retreat: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 31, 1969 at 2210 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander
Operator:
Registration:
N236JP
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
New York-LaGuardia – Johnson City
MSN:
1121-116
YOM:
1967
Location:
Rural Retreat
Virginia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
7255
Captain / Total hours on type:
732.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude by night over Virginia, the airplane went out of control, entered a dive and crashed in a huge explosion in a field. The wreckage was found a day later and all three occupants were killed. The airplane was totally destroyed upon impact as it struck the ground in a 60° nose-down attitude at high speed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in flight and uncontrolled descent due to several errors on part of the flying crew. The following findings were reported:
- The pilot-in-command failed to use or incorrectly used miscellaneous equipment,
- The pilot-in-command failed to follow the approved procedures,
- The crew suffered a spatial disorientation,
- Failure of the electrical system: generators/alternators,
- Electrical failure,
- Failure of the flight and navigation instruments,
- IFR alternator failed in flight,
- Loss of pilots flight instruments due to improper crew action in flight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell 1121A Jet Commander in Hollywood: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 13, 1968 at 0723 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander
Operator:
Registration:
N148E
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Santa Monica - Hollywood
MSN:
1121-022
YOM:
1965
Location:
Hollywood-Burbank (Bob Hope)
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
11164
Captain / Total hours on type:
6121.00
Circumstances:
While on final approach to Hollywood-Burbank Airport on a positioning flight from Santa Monica, the airplane adopted a nose-down attitude, struck power cables, hit a house and crashed in a wasteland located few miles short of runway. Both pilots and one people on the ground were killed. The aircraft was destroyed as well as several cars. A house was also damaged.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent caused by vortex turbulences from a preceding aircraft with separation of approximately 3 minutes and 15 seconds.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander in Fayetteville: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 1, 1968 at 1712 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander
Operator:
Registration:
N196KC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Dallas - Kansas City
MSN:
1121-068
YOM:
1966
Location:
Fayetteville-Drake
Arkansas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
5700
Captain / Total hours on type:
178.00
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 41,000 feet on an executive flight from Dallas to Kansas City, the crew encountered icing conditions when both engines failed almost simultaneously. The crew declared an emergency, started a rapid descent and was cleared to divert to Fayetteville-Drake Airport. On final, the airplane stalled and crashed in a field short of runway. A passenger was killed while seven other occupants were injured, some of them seriously.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the following factors:
- Improper operation of powerplant,
- Double engine failure caused by icing conditions,
- Improper emergency procedures on part of the flying crew,
- Icing conditions, including sleet and freezing rain,
- Lack of familiarity with the aircraft,
- Improper techniques used while attempting air starts,
- The undercarriage were lowered too soon on approach.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander in Platte: 5 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1966 at 1217 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander
Operator:
Jim Robbins Airborne Division
Registration:
N500JR
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Platte - Platte
MSN:
1121-065
YOM:
1966
Location:
Platte
South Dakota
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
5200
Captain / Total hours on type:
200.00
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Platte Airport for a local pleasance flight with four passengers and a pilot on board. While flying in marginal weather conditions, the airplane was approaching the Robbins Ranch at low height when control was lost. The airplane overturned then crashed in an open field, killing all five occupants. At the time of the accident, weather was slightly worse than forecasted with low ceiling and rain.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the loss of control could not be determined. However, the assumption that the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation was not ruled out.
Final Report:
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