Rockwell Aero Commander 520

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

FTI Aviation

Registration:

N2634B

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Traverse City - Michigan City

MSN:

520-146

YOM:

1954

Location:

Michigan City

Indiana

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2576

Captain / Total hours on type:

23.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Michigan City on a cargo flight from Traverse City, both engines stopped almost simultaneously. The airplane lost height, struck tree tops and crashed few dozen yards short of runway. The pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured and the airplane was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Both engines failed on final due to mismanagement of fuel. The following factors were reported:
- Inattentive to fuel supply,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- High obstructions,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Pilot misunderstood fuel gauge placard.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Central Mills

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1973 at 1331 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Joe T. Poston

Registration:

N7324

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Greenville - Montgomery

MSN:

520-94

YOM:

1953

Location:

Central Mills

Alabama

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3000

Captain / Total hours on type:

360.00

Circumstances:

En route from Greenville, Mississippi, to Montgomery, Alabama, both engines failed almost simultaneously. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing when the airplane struck tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located in Central Mills. While both passengers were slightly injured, the pilot was seriously wounded.

Probable cause:

Failure of both engines in flight caused by a fuel exhaustion. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Fuel system: vents, drains, tank caps,
- Fuel siphoning,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- High obstructions,
- One side of locking arm of the right fuel cap broken off, rust in break,
- Red fuel stains on wing and fuselage.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 near Burnsville: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 9, 1972 at 1030 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Merry Company

Registration:

N9051R

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Augusta - Bristol

MSN:

520-22

YOM:

1952

Location:

Burnsville

North Carolina

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3390

Captain / Total hours on type:

27.00

Circumstances:

While cruising in level altitude in poor weather conditions, the twin engine airplane struck a mountain and crashed in flames near Burnsville, North Carolina. The wreckage was found two days later near the mountain top and both occupants have been killed.

Probable cause:

The pilot continued under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Visibility down to zero,
- Clouds obscured site.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Columbia: 6 killed

Date & Time: Feb 3, 1971 at 2138 LT

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Newberry Flying Service

Registration:

N4190B

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Ridgeland – Columbia – Newberry

MSN:

520-97

YOM:

1953

Location:

Columbia

South Carolina

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3301

Captain / Total hours on type:

271.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Columbia Airport by night, during the last segment, the pilot overshot the center line and completed a sharp turn to the right when the airplane lost height and crashed in flames short of runway threshold. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all six occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The pilot failed to obtain/maintain flying speed on final approach. The following factors were reported:
- Improperly loaded aircraft and CofG,
- Overshot the center line in sharp descending turn to the right,
- The airplane was overloaded by 200 pounds.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Camalú

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1969 at 0832 LT

Type of aircraft:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Operator:

Pacific Interconnect

Registration:

N520X

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Camalú - El Arco

MSN:

520-83

YOM:

1953

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2900

Captain / Total hours on type:

60.00

Circumstances:

Struck an object while taking off from Camalú Airstrip. The aircraft veered off runway and crashed. All six occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Olberg: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 28, 1969 at 1530 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Midstate Aviation

Registration:

N4127B

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Wilcox - Phoenix

MSN:

520-31

YOM:

1952

Location:

Olberg

Arizona

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4100

Captain / Total hours on type:

10.00

Circumstances:

While in cruising altitude in excellent weather conditions, the pilot encountered engine problems. He elected to maintain heading when control was lost. The airplane entered a dive and crashed in a huge explosion in a desert area located near Olberg. The aircraft was totally destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Probable cause:

The accident was the consequence of the combination of the following factors:
- The pilot attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- Powerplant failure due to spark plug issue,
- Carbon deposit,
- Excessive temperature,
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- High OAT,
- Complete engine failure,
- The pilot was aware that the engine were unairworthy,
- The right propeller was found in feathered position,
- The left engine had two fouled plugs.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Parshall: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 9, 1967 at 2034 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Federal Industry

Registration:

N8000G

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

520-54

YOM:

1953

Location:

Parshall

Colorado

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

12500

Circumstances:

While cruising in bad weather conditions, the airplane went out of control and crashed in an isolated area located in the region of Parshall. The wreckage was found a week later, on August 16, and all four occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, weather was poor with thunderstorm activity, rain showers and turbulences.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the pilot continued under VRF mode in adverse weather conditions.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Jetson: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 22, 1967 at 1655 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N2628B

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

520-140

YOM:

1954

Location:

Jetson

Kentucky

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7487

Captain / Total hours on type:

441.00

Circumstances:

While in cruising altitude in poor weather conditions, the right engine failed. Shortly later, the pilot lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed in an isolated area. The wreckage was found a day later and all three occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, weather was poor with snow falls and icing conditions.

Probable cause:

Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. Improper operations of powerplant and powerplant controls as the anti-icing/deicing equipment were not activated in flight. Carburetor iced on the right engine, causing a vacuum pump to fail, the gyro flight instrument and the engine as well.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Gary

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1966 at 1545 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N1914

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Gary - Gary

MSN:

520-122

YOM:

1953

Location:

Gary

Indiana

Country:

Region: