Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Abernathy

Date & Time: Dec 27, 1965 at 1510 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 520
Operator:
Registration:
N33L
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
520-52
YOM:
1953
Location:
Abernathy
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1110
Captain / Total hours on type:
110.00
Circumstances:
While cruising in marginal weather conditions, one of the engine failed. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, the pilot elected to make an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in an open field located in Abernathy. All four occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed. Weather conditions were marginal at the time of the accident with icing.
Probable cause:
Engine failure or malfunction in flight after a magneto failed due to icing conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of an Aero Commander 520 on Annette Island: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1965 at 1235 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 520
Operator:
Registration:
N487
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
520-104
YOM:
1953
Location:
Annette Island
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
10000
Circumstances:
Enroute, weather conditions worsened and the pilot lost hos orientation then the control of the aircraft that crashed on Annette Island. The wreckage was found a day later and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with ground controlled. Improper IFR operations on part of the pilot.
Final Report:

Crash of an Aero Commander 520 off Miami Beach

Date & Time: Dec 30, 1964 at 1700 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 520
Operator:
Registration:
N4120B
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Miami - Miami
MSN:
520-99
YOM:
1953
Location:
Miami-Intl
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9535
Captain / Total hours on type:
50.00
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole occupant, was completing a local test flight out from Miami. Following an uneventful flight, the pilot was returning to Miami when both engines stopped simultaneously. Unable to maintain the requested altitude, he attempted to ditch the aircraft off Miami Beach. The airplane crashed into the sea at 1700LT and sank by a depth of few dozen feet. The pilot was rescued.
Probable cause:
As the airplane was not recovered, investigations were unable to determine with certainty the cause of the double engine failure.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Fairbanks: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 22, 1964 at 1825 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 520
Operator:
Registration:
N688C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Fairbanks
Alaska
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:
2500
Circumstances:
On final approach to Fairbanks Airport, the twin engine aircraft was too low and struck the slope of a mountain located few miles from the runway. The wreckage was found a week later and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of an Aero Commander 520 in Fort Lauderdale

Date & Time: Apr 26, 1964 at 0450 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 520
Operator:
Registration:
N9094R
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
14000
Captain / Total hours on type:
450.00
Circumstances:
While on a night approach to Fort Lauderdale-Bradley Airport, one of the engine failed. The pilot attempted a go around when the aircraft stalled and crashed short of runway. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Improper operation of powerplant & powerplant controls on part of the pilot. Engine loaded up and partial loss of power on one engine was a contributing factor.
Final Report:

Crash of an Aero Commander 520 in Bilbao: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 21, 1960
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 520
Operator:
Registration:
N2631B
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Madrid – Paris
MSN:
520-143
YOM:
1954
Location:
Bilbao-Sondica
Basque Country
Country:
Spain
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a flight from Madrid to Paris. While in cruising altitude, he encountered technical problems with an engine and requested the permission to divert to Bilbao-Sondica Airport. On final approach, following an uneventful descent, the airplane stalled and crashed 500 meters short of runway threshold. The aircraft, owned by S. Sehranger, was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Crash of an Aero Commander 520 near Palumeu: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 6, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 520
Operator:
Registration:
PZ-TAG
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Paramaribo – Palumeu
MSN:
520-64
YOM:
1953
Location:
Palumeu
Sipaliwini
Country:
Suriname
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a cargo flight from Paramaribo, carrying a load of building materials to be dropped in Palomeu for the construction of the new Airport. While approaching in mist, the airplane struck a hill and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed. The captain was Vincent Fajks who later gave his name to the airport of Palomeu. The copilot, Rudi Elwin Kappel, co-founder of the National career SLM, gave his name to the airport of Tafelberg.
Probable cause:
It is believed the accident was caused by an engine failure.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 near Skilak Lake: 6 killed

Date & Time: Apr 9, 1956 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 520
Operator:
Registration:
N5386N
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Anchorage – Seward
MSN:
520-7
YOM:
1952
Flight number:
CDV006
Location:
Skilak Lake
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
7000
Aircraft flight hours:
1136
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Anchorage international Airport at 0905LT (scheduled time of departure 0845), destination Seward. The flight plan filed with the company by Pilot John Arthur Waide contained the following: Anchorage to Seward VFR via Skilak Lake, airspeed 145 knots, estimated time en route 45 minutes. All fuel tanks were full and the fuel on board was sufficient for six hours. The estimated time for arrival at Seward was 0950. Witnesses saw the airplane flying southeast toward Seward, heard it circle Upper Russian Lake and saw it pass them again flying west-northwest at 0951. At 1255 Flight 6 was still unreported and search and rescue procedures were initiated. On April 10, 1956, at approximately 1400, the wreckage was reported on the south slope of an unnamed mountain east of Skilak Lake at an elevation of approximately 3,000 feet MSL, near latitude 60 degree 24 'N, longitude 150 degree 03'W. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the pilot's action in continuing flight during instrument weather conditions on a planned VFR flight through a mountain pass, and striking a mountainside while attempting to climb out. The following findings were reported:
- The gross weight at the time of takeoff exceeded the allowable gross. The weight was properly distributed. The overload was not a factor in the accident,
- At the time of takeoff the weather observations and forecast indicated that VFR flight over the route involved would be extremely marginal. These forecasts were available to the dispatcher and the pilot,
- The dispatching of the flight was at the discretion of the pilot in command. The assistance of the dispatcher in planning the flight was solely advisory in nature,
- Pilot Waide partially traversed a route segment through mountain passes in which conditions of ceiling and visibility were below VFR minimums, and were deteriorating,
- In attempting return through a pass after reversing his course, he lost visual contact and attempted to climb above the terrain,
- During the climb through the clouds the aircraft struck a mountain slope.
Final Report:
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