Rockwell Aero Commander 560

Operator:

David M. Hume

Registration:

N6191X

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Van Nuys - El Paso

MSN:

560-1053-20

YOM:

1961

Location:

Granada Hills

California

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

570

Captain / Total hours on type:

180.00

Circumstances:

Four minutes after takeoff from Van Nuys Airport, while climbing in marginal weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in Granada Hills, north of Van Nuys. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions and suffered a spatial disorientation. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling, fog and obstruction to vision,
- Visibility limited to half a mile or less,
- IP told the pilot not to fly VFR by night,
- The pilot departed with a special VFR clearance,
- Control lost 4 minutes after takeoff.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560A in Midway

Date & Time: Apr 4, 1973 at 1600 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Bernard L. Morgan

Registration:

N2668B

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Tulsa - Jacksonville

MSN:

560A-382

YOM:

1956

Location:

Midway

Alabama

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4740

Captain / Total hours on type:

85.00

Circumstances:

While in cruising altitude on a flight from Tulsa to Jacksonville, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot informed ATC about the situation and he reduced his altitude to attempt an emergency landing. The twin engine airplane struck trees then crashed near Midway. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Double engine failure in flight caused by a fuel exhaustion. The following factors were reported:
- Fuel on board 156 gallons,
- In flight for 3 hours and 30 minutes,
- Cause of fuel exhaustion could not be determined.

Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1972 at 1724 LT

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

KBC Inc.

Registration:

N2690B

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Marion - Tupelo

MSN:

560-190

YOM:

1955

Location:

Tupelo

Mississippi

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3483

Captain / Total hours on type:

22.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Tupelo Airport, the pilot was unable to locate the runway due to limited visibility. Circling the field following a straight-in approach, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed on the field. The passenger was injured while the pilot was killed.

Probable cause:

Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot who misjudged altitude on approach. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling and fog,
- Obscuration,
- Visibility below minimums.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560A in Émancé

Date & Time: Oct 1, 1972

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

F-BIRS

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

560-354

YOM:

1956

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances. Occupant's fate unknown.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560A in Greenwood

Date & Time: Jun 10, 1972 at 0620 LT

Type of aircraft:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Operator:

Registration:

N2754B

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Greenwood - Greenwood

MSN:

560-254

YOM:

1955

Location:

Greenwood-Leflore

Mississippi

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

30070

Captain / Total hours on type:

120.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after liftoff from Greenwood-Leflore Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

The pilot-in-command exercised poor judgment and failed to obtain sufficient flying speed while trying to take off in single engine configuration.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560 in Philippines: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1971

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Manila - Marinduque

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On a flight from Manila to Marinduque, the twin engine aircraft exploded in mid-air and crashed. All four occupants were killed. The cause of the explosion remains unknown.

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

Date & Time: Nov 22, 1971 at 0915 LT

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Garden State Airlines

Registration:

N87K

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Chatham - Newark

MSN:

560-314

YOM:

1956

Location:

East Greenwich

Rhode Island

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5000

Captain / Total hours on type:

1300.00

Circumstances:

While in cruising altitude on a flight from Chatham to Newark, the captain informed ATC about the failure of the left engine and was cleared to divert to the nearest airport located in East Greenwich, east Rhode Island. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, the crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field. A passenger was killed while five other occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

Inadequate preflight preparation and/or planning on part of the pilot-in-command. The following factors were reported:
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls,
- Improper operation or failed to use the anti-icing/deicing equipment,
- Conditions conducive to carburetor system icing,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Low ceiling and snow,
- Partial loss of power on one engine,
- Complete engine failure on one engine,
- Left engine lost power, propeller feathered. Unable to maintain safe altitude.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560 in Santo Domingo: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1971

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

José Molina Portes

Registration:

HI-200

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

560-160

YOM:

1954

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Santo Domingo-Las Américas Airport, while climbing, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed in a field. A passenger was seriously injured while three other occupants were killed.
Crew:
José Molina Portes. †
Passengers:
Rafael Vidal Ramírez, †
Germán Gómez, †
Hipólito Hernández.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560A in Jackson: 5 killed

Date & Time: Sep 15, 1971 at 0016 LT

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

C&C Aviation

Registration:

N2779B

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers (Allen C. Thompson)

Schedule:

Temple – Jackson – Columbus

MSN:

560-279

YOM:

1955

Location:

Mississippi

Country:

Region: