Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560E in Seven Springs: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1967 at 2003 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
Registration:
N6231D
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Seven Springs
Pennsylvania
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:
2082
Captain / Total hours on type:
932.00
Circumstances:
While cruising by night, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and very limited visibility due to fog so he apparently decided to reduce his altitude to establish a visual contact with the ground when the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames in a wooded area. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot continued under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with fog, thunderstorm activity and turbulences. The weather briefing received by the pilot prior to departure was incorrect.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560 in Calhoun: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 4, 1967 at 0815 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
Crest Airlines
Registration:
N2677B
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
560-177
YOM:
1954
Location:
Calhoun
Georgia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
4169
Captain / Total hours on type:
1293.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, on a positioning flight, the landing gear were lowered and the flaps were positioned to a full down angle. The twin engine airplane entered an uncontrolled descent until it crashed near Calhoun. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the loss of control could not be determined with certainty.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560E in Dallas: 7 killed

Date & Time: Sep 27, 1967 at 1536 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
Registration:
N3831C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
MSN:
560-747
YOM:
1959
Location:
Dallas-Love Field
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
13247
Captain / Total hours on type:
2010.00
Circumstances:
While on approach to Dallas-Love Field Airport, the left wing broke away and control was lost. The airplane entered a dive and crashed on the elementary school of Bradfield. All seven occupants on board the airplane were killed while no one on the ground was injured. The school was partially destroyed as well as several vehicles. The airplane was operated on behalf of LTV Electrosystems (Ling-Temco-Vought).
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent following the structural failure of the left wing due to fatigue fracture. Two overlapping rivet holes found in aft leg of the spar cap.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560E in South Lake Tahoe: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 21, 1967 at 1815 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
Registration:
N616R
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
South Lake Tahoe
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
1035
Captain / Total hours on type:
124.00
Circumstances:
While descending to South Lake Tahoe Airport, the right engine failed. The pilot tried to maintain height and speed but the airplane eventually stalled and crashed in the Tahoe Valley. A passenger was seriously injured while all four other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Right engine failure in flight due to a fatigue fracture of the ignition system (magneto). Improper emergency procedures. Impulse coupling cam assembly failure due to broken palls. 67 hours on mag since overhaul.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560A in Stinson

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1967 at 1408 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
Registration:
N2648B
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
560-330
YOM:
1956
Location:
Stinson (San Antonio)
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
826
Captain / Total hours on type:
257.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Stinson Municipal Airport, south of San Antonio, the pilot informed ATC about an engine failure and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. Following a wrong approach configuration, he landed too far down the runway. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran and came to a halt. The airplane was destroyed and both occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure after takeoff due the the failure of the cylinder #5. Improper emergency procedures and poorly planned approach. The pilot landed long and used improper procedures for emergency steering and brakes.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560 in Las Vegas: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 18, 1966 at 0928 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
Registration:
N280E
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
560-207
YOM:
1955
Location:
Las Vegas-Harry Reid (McCarran)
Nevada
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
16754
Captain / Total hours on type:
10.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Las Vegas-McCarran Airport, while in initial climb, both engines lost power. The pilot informed ATC and requested permission to return for a safe landing but realized it would not be possible. He raised the undercarriage and attempted a belly landing in an open field. The airplane crash landed near the airport and came to rest. The pilot was killed and all five passengers were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Partial loss of power on both engines due to fuel contamination with water. Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. The aircraft was improperly loaded as at the time of the accident, it was overloaded by 532 pounds.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560E in Parsippany: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1966 at 1252 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
Chatham Aviation
Registration:
N3804C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Morristown - Morristown
MSN:
560-732
YOM:
1959
Location:
Parsippany
New Jersey
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2500
Captain / Total hours on type:
500.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight from Morristown Airport when, while in cruising altitude, control was lost. The airplane went into a dive and eventually crashed in an open field located near Parsippany. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in flight after the right wing spar failed because the pilot was doing steep, low altitude maneuvers. Forces exceeded the designed stress limits of the aircraft. Overload failure.
Final Report:

Crash of an Aero Commander 560 in Norcross: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 6, 1964 at 1620 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
Registration:
N2680B
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
560-180
YOM:
1954
Location:
Atlanta-DeKalb-Peachtree
Georgia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
9500
Captain / Total hours on type:
150.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Atlanta-DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in Norcross, about 6 miles northeast of the airfield. Two passengers were killed while five other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion. Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew who improperly installed the fuel tank filler cap during refueling.
Final Report:

Crash of an Aero Commander 560 in Pleasant Valley: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 25, 1964 at 0810 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
Registration:
N2683B
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
560-183
YOM:
1954
Location:
Pleasant Valley
New York
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
3500
Circumstances:
En route, control was lost. The twin engine aircraft went into a dive and crashed in a pasture. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The crew failed to obtain/maintain flying speed.
Final Report:
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