Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 in Anapuera

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
PT-BVX
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
500-1281-109
YOM:
1963
Location:
Brazil
All Brazil
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed under unknown circumstances near Anapuera (exact location unknown).

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 near Flagler Beach: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 11, 1981 at 0202 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
A. W. Hirshberg
Registration:
N711MK
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
500-0810
YOM:
1959
Location:
Flagler Beach
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
While flying at low height by night, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed near Flagler Beach, bursting into flames. The passenger was killed in the accident while the pilot was not found. Injury is presumed. The aircraft was destroyed. A load of marijuana was found in the wreckage.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees after the pilot exercised poor judgment and unwarranted low flying.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500S near Oudtshoorn: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 28, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Jarlin Aviation
Registration:
ZS-CBC
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Johannesburg – Riversdale
MSN:
500-1348-131
YOM:
1963
Location:
Oudtshoorn
Western Cape
Country:
South Africa
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was completing a flight from Johannesburg-Rand Airport to Riversdale, carrying four members of the South African Air Defence School. En route, the airplane struck the north face of Mt Fouriesberg located in the region of Oudtshoorn, about 10 km west of Robinson Pass. All four occupants were killed.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B in Buffalo: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1980 at 2335 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
James B. Urban
Registration:
N6395U
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Buffalo - §Huron
MSN:
500-1472-168
YOM:
1964
Location:
Buffalo
New York
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:
1045
Captain / Total hours on type:
451.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Buffalo Airport in blowing snow, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to maintain a positive rate of climb. It collided with ground and subsequently crashed. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground during initial climb due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to maintain a positive rate of climb,
- Low ceiling,
- High density altitude,
- Visibility one mile or less,
- Blowing snow,
- Mixtures found full rich,
- Airport elevation 4,951 feet.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B in Santa Maria: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 24, 1980 at 1947 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Commander 6206
Registration:
N6206X
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Burbank - Santa Maria
MSN:
500-1072-50
YOM:
1961
Location:
Santa Maria
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1250
Captain / Total hours on type:
700.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Santa Maria, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling and a limited visibility due to fog. He initiated a go-around manoeuvre and started a second ILS approach few minutes later. In a visibility limited to two miles or less, he failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck a mountain slope located about six miles from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground on final approach after the pilot attempted operation beyond experience/ability level. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper IFR operation,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Weather slightly worse than forecast,
- Visibility 2 miles or less.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 in Münster: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 31, 1980 at 1617 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
D-IBUD
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Münster-Telgte - Münster-Osnabrück
MSN:
500-0656-16
YOM:
1958
Location:
Münster-Telgte
North Rhine-Westphalia
Country:
Germany
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The aircraft and its crew took part to an airshow that day at Münster-Telgte Airport. At the end of the afternoon, the crew departed Telgte Airport to return to his base at Münster-Osnabrück Airport. About two minutes after takeoff, the twin engine airplane lost height and crashed onto a farm located about 3,5 km from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that during initial climb, the crew shut down one engine and feathered its propeller for unknown reasons. Investigations did not reveal any technical issues on the engine. The fact that one engine was cut caused the aircraft to lose speed and height.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B near Salmon: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 5, 1980 at 1530 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
N184Z
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Salmon - McCall
MSN:
500-1627-216
YOM:
1966
Location:
Salmon
Idaho
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
8124
Captain / Total hours on type:
65.00
Circumstances:
The pilot and the passenger were engaged in a survey flight from Salmon to McCall. While flying at low height, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a dense wooded area. While the passenger was seriously injured, the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees and subsequent crash after the pilot misjudged distance, speed and altitude. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Flew into blind canyon,
- Downdrafts, updrafts,
- High density altitude,
- High obstructions,
- Pilot not experienced in fixed-wing mountain flying.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 near Santa Fe: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1979 at 1319 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
N6194X
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Albuquerque - Denver
MSN:
500-1055-44
YOM:
1961
Location:
Santa Fe
New Mexico
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:
1340
Captain / Total hours on type:
71.00
Circumstances:
While flying in marginal weather conditions, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a mountain shrouded in clouds. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees and subsequent crash in normal cruise due to improper IFR operation on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Traffic control personnel issued improper or conflicting instructions,
- Santa Fe weather observation reported mountain tops obscured,
- The controller was not familiar with high terrain in area or MVA.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 in Mwanza

Date & Time: Nov 29, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
General Air Swaziland
Registration:
3D-GAS
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
500-1590-204
YOM:
1966
Location:
Mwanza
Mwanza Region
Country:
Tanzania
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Suffered an accident near Mwanza.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 in the Atlantic Ocean: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 4, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Iron Bird
Registration:
N3815C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Andros Town – West Palm Beach
MSN:
500-771
YOM:
1959
Location:
Atlantic Ocean
All World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
623
Captain / Total hours on type:
102.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising flight between Andros Town and West Palm Beach, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions when the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in the Florida Strait. SAR operations were initiated but no trace of the aircraft nor the pilot was found. The wreckage was not recovered.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined. The following findings were reported:
- Thunderstorm activity in the area,
- The pilot reported heavy thunderstorm activity over the ocean.
Final Report:
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