Rockwell Aero Commander 560

Operator:

Registration:

N2748B

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Demonstration

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Pavilion - Pavilion

MSN:

560-0248

YOM:

1955

Location:

Pavilion

New York

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4405

Captain / Total hours on type:

217.00

Circumstances:

The pilot, sole on board, was taking part to a local air show when, flying at low height, the airplane banked right and crashed following the failure of the right engine. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure and subsequent stall after the left engine failed due to valve assemblies failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Material failure,
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- High vegetation,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Exhaust valve, second cylinder on right engine failed.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560 at Tinker AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1979 at 0306 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N2684B

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Hot Springs - Tinker

MSN:

560-184

YOM:

1954

Location:

Tinker AFB

Oklahoma

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

392

Circumstances:

While approaching Tinker AFB by night, the crew encountered low visibility due to foggy conditions and initiated a go-around maneuver. The crew attempted four other approaches that were abandoned due to poor visibility. During the fifth approach, the crew declared an emergency due to low fuel then the airplane stalled and crashed. A pilot was killed while the second occupant was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Stall during a missed approach due to improper in-flight decisions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper IFR operation,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Zero visibility,
- Low on fuel,
- Adverse/unfavorable weather,
- Flight path erratic during 5th attempted approach,
- Emergency declared due low fuel.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560E in Clewiston

Date & Time: Jan 15, 1979 at 1445 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

William Kelly

Registration:

N438G

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Sebring - Miami

MSN:

560-811

YOM:

1959

Location:

Clewiston

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3250

Captain / Total hours on type:

100.00

Circumstances:

En route from Sebring to Miami, smoke spread in the cabin and the pilot decided to reduce his altitude and to attempt an emergency landing. On final, the twin engine airplane collided with rocks, lost its right main gear and crashed. Both occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

Collision with object during landing roll after smoke in cockpit. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fire in cabin, cockpit, baggage compartment,
- Wt, soft ground,
- Rough terrain,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Smoke in cockpit,
- Collided with rocks,
- Right gear sheared off,
- Fire in cockpit from undetermined origin.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560E in Bimini: 6 killed

Date & Time: Aug 8, 1978 at 2340 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Christian Demaria

Registration:

N6227B

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Miami - Bimini

MSN:

560-641

YOM:

1958

Location:

Bimini

Country:

Bahamas

Region:

Central America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

220

Captain / Total hours on type:

20.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Bimini Airport by night, the pilot became disoriented and lost control of the airplane that crashed few km from the airfield. All six occupants were killed. The aircraft was under suspicion of narcotics contraband.

Probable cause:

Collision with ground after the pilot attempted operation beyond experience and ability level. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Became lost/disoriented,
- Misjudged altitude,
- Physical impairment.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560F in Holopaw

Date & Time: Apr 22, 1978

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Sanford Schwartz

Registration:

N36JH

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

560-1283-56

YOM:

1963

Location:

Holopaw

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane crashed under unknown circumstances near Holopaw and collided with fence. The pilot, apparently sole on board, was not found.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the accident was not determined. The aircraft was under surveillance for drug trafficking.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560 off Nassau: 5 killed

Date & Time: Apr 3, 1978

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Phoenix Aviation - USA

Registration:

N343P

Flight Phase:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

560-772

YOM:

1959

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On final approach to Nassau Airport, while on a flight from Florida, the twin engine airplane lost height and crashed in flames in the Nassau harbor. The aircraft was destroyed as well as several boats. All five occupants were killed. There were no other injuries.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled collision with water during a low pass.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560F in Saint-Barthélemy

Date & Time: Mar 28, 1978

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

YV-110P

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Saint-Barthélemy-Rémy de Haenen (Saint-Jean-Gustave III)

MSN:

560-1246-54

YOM:

1963

Location:

Saint-Barthélemy

Country:

Saint-Barthélemy

Region:

Central America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After touchdown on runway 10, the twin engine airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and came to rest in water. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560A in Glenrock: 6 killed

Date & Time: Feb 19, 1978 at 2020 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Charles E. Daniels

Registration:

N2639B

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Casper - Douglas

MSN:

560-307

YOM:

1956

Location:

Glenrock

Wyoming

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3485

Captain / Total hours on type:

23.00

Circumstances:

While flying in marginal weather conditions (low ceiling, snow and icing conditions), both engines lost power. The pilot elected to divert to the nearest airport but the airplane lost height and eventually collided with terrain. The wreckage was found a day later. A passenger was seriously injured while six other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with ground due to inadequate preflight preparation and planning on part of the pilot-in-command. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Initiated flight in adverse weather conditions,
- Attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- Ice induction,
- Low ceiling,
- Snow,
- Icing conditions, sleet, freezing rain,
- Conditions conducive to carburetor/induction system icing,
- Partial loss of power on both engines,
- Later recovered,
- No record of weather briefing received,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Zero visibility,
- Blowing snow,
- Recovered a day later.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560F in Moss Town

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1977 at 1930 LT

Type of aircraft:

International Air Freight

Operator:

Registration:

N6217X

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site: