Rockwell Aero Commander 560

Operator:

Registration:

N2713B

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Monroeville – Mansfield – Ennis

MSN:

560-213

YOM:

1955

Location:

Henderson

Texas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

11252

Captain / Total hours on type:

59.00

Circumstances:

While in normal cruise, both engines stopped. The pilot reduced his altitude and completed a belly landing in an open field located near Henderson. Two passengers were seriously injured while four other occupants were slightly injured. The aircraft was written off.

Probable cause:

Double engine failure due to fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Intentional wheels-up,
- Fuel quantity gauge erratic,
- Rough terrain.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560F off Saint Ann's Bay: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 14, 1976

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Beau Morgan

Registration:

N1902S

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Barranquilla - Miami

MSN:

560-1226-50

YOM:

1962

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route from Barranquilla to Miami, the pilote informed ATC about an engine failure and elected to make an emergency landing when the airplane crashed into the sea off Saint Ann's Bay. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560E in Reading: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1976 at 1208 LT

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Silvio J. Adamo

Registration:

N3842C

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Albany - Reading

MSN:

560-727

YOM:

1959

Location:

Reading

Pennsylvania

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2850

Captain / Total hours on type:

107.00

Circumstances:

The approach to Reading Airport was initiated in marginal weather conditions with fog and low clouds. On final, the airplane struck the ground and crashed 3,6 miles south of Reading LOM while cleared for an ILS approach to runway 36. The pilot was killed while both passengers were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560A in Davis: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1976 at 1146 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N91NR

Flight Phase:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Berkley Springs - Charleston

MSN:

560-234

YOM:

1955

Location:

Davis

West Virginia

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3096

Captain / Total hours on type:

457.00

Circumstances:

En route from Berckley Springs to Charleston, while in normal cruise, both engines failed. The crew elected to make an emergency landing when control was lost. The airplane crashed and was destroyed upon impact, killing both occupants.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent following a double engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Failure to provide adequate directives, manual, equipment,
- Fuel gauge read approximately 10 gallons high,
- Did not use positive method for checking fuel.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560 in Skaneateles: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 12, 1976 at 1236 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

A. S. Wikstrom

Registration:

N2692B

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Skaneateles – Salisbury – Wilmington

MSN:

560-192

YOM:

1955

Location:

Skaneateles

New York

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

11200

Captain / Total hours on type:

3300.00

Circumstances:

Just after liftoff at Skaneateles Airstrip, the twin engine airplane touched the runway and drifted to the left, causing the left main gear to struck a snowbank. The takeoff was continued when the airplane went out of control and rolled inverted. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Ground loop during takeoff run after the pilot diverted attention from operation of aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to maintain directional control,
- Failed to abort takeoff,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Airport conditions.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560E in Moline: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1975 at 1814 LT

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

T. A. Maag

Registration:

N699E

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Hutchinson - Moline - Atlanta

MSN:

560-527

YOM:

1957

Location:

Moline-Quad City

Illinois

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1599

Captain / Total hours on type:

208.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Moline-Quad City Airport, while on a flight from Hutchinson to Atlanta, both engines lost power. The airplane lost speed, stalled and crashed short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Loss of control on approach due to improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper operation or failed to use the anti-icing/deicing equipment,
- Ice induction,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Conditions conducive to carburetor/induction system icing,
- Partial loss of power on both engines,
- Obscuration,
- Visibility 1/2 mile or less,
- wind gusting to 22 knots,
- Ram air hoses blocked by cakes of ice and snow,
- Buildup present in carburetor in chamber.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560 near Bicknell: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 2, 1974 at 1015 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

V.J. Corporation

Registration:

N867G

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Milford - Grand Junction

MSN:

560-228

YOM:

1955

Location:

Bicknell

Utah

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

900

Captain / Total hours on type:

200.00

Circumstances:

En route from Milford (Utah) to Grand Junction, Colorado, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to clouds, snow falls and icing conditions. In cruising altitude, he lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed in mountainous terrain located near Bicknell. The wreckage was found nine days later on November 11. Both occupants have been killed.

Probable cause:

Loss of control after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions or planning,
- Ice-propeller,
- Airframe ice,
- Low ceiling,
- Snow, blowing snow,
- Icing conditions, including sleet and/or freezing rain,
- Attempted flight in known icing conditions,
- Aircraft had no airframe-prop ice protection.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560E near Kerrville: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 2, 1974 at 0845 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Jim Lewis

Registration:

N701W

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Kerrville - Midland

MSN:

560-562

YOM:

1957

Location:

Kerrville

Texas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

750

Captain / Total hours on type:

20.00

Circumstances:

Few minutes after takeoff from Kerrville Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, rain falls and fog. While cruising in clouds, the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation and lost control of the airplane that entered a dive. During the descent, the left wing detached and the airplane crashed in an open field. The airplane was destroyed upon impact and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Loss of control after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation in flight. The following factors were reported:
- Exceeded designed stress limits of aircraft,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Overload failure,
- Low ceiling, rain and fog.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560A in Galena: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 23, 1973 at 1135 LT

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Fort Wainwright Air

Registration:

N12317

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Fairbanks - Gulkana - Galena - Nome

MSN:

560-243

YOM:

1955

Location:

Galena

Alaska

Country:

Region: