Rockwell Aero Commander 680

Operator:

Registration:

N401M

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

680-338-31

YOM:

1956

Location:

Tin City

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5219

Captain / Total hours on type:

1897.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Tin City, the right engine malfunctioned. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed by the runway. Both occupants were seriously injured and the airplane was destroyed.

Probable cause:

The accident was probably caused by the combination of the following factors:
- Engine failure or malfunction caused by carbon deposit, ignition system, spark plugs,
- Stall during initial climb,
- The pilot attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- The pilot failed to abort the takeoff procedure,
- The pilot failed to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- Witnesses stated that the right engine backfired,
- The pilot continued the takeoff procedure and climbed in a steep attitude,
- Two previous takeoff were aborted.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680E off San Juan: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 20, 1968 at 2000 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

ABC-PRS Airways

Registration:

N408EE

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

680-665-8

YOM:

1958

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3602

Captain / Total hours on type:

369.00

Circumstances:

The pilot was completing a positioning flight when control was lost. The airplane crashed into the sea off San Juan. Some debris were found a day later but no trace of the pilot who was presumed dead.

Probable cause:

Due to lack of evidences, the cause of the accident could not be determined.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Commander 680E near Lake Hughes: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1968 at 1723 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N6243B

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Location:

Lake Hughes

California

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While completing a regional executive flight, the pilot encountered technical problems en route and elected to make an emergency landing. While flying over mountainous terrain, he attempted a wheels-up landing on a hillside when the airplane crashed. The burned wreckage was found a day later and the pilote, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Improper operation of powerplant on part of the pilot. Conditions conducive to carburetor/induction systems icing.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680FL in North Platte

Date & Time: Dec 2, 1967 at 2040 LT

Type of aircraft:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Operator:

Registration:

N747NT

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

North Platte

Nebraska

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1940

Captain / Total hours on type:

10.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after a night takeoff from North Platte-Lee Bird Airport, while in initial climb, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot informed ground about his situation and decided to return to the airport for an emergency landing. Few second later, he realized he could not make it so he ditched the airplane into lake Maloney located 7 miles southwest of the airport. While the aircraft was destroyed, the pilot was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Poor preflight preparation on part of the pilot who failed to secure the fuel cap after he proceed to the aircraft refueling prior to takeoff. This caused the fuel to leak between the parking and takeoff and during initial climb, both engines failed simultaneously due to fuel starvation.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680FL in Greenland: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1967 at 1021 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Aviation Communications

Registration:

N6362U

Flight Phase:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Reykjavik - Kulusuk

MSN:

680-1421-67

YOM:

1964

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew departed Reykjavik on a flight to Kulusuk with equipments which should be dropped off. En route, weather conditions worsened and while cruising in whiteout conditions, the crew lost his orientation when the airplane struck the ground and crashed. A pilot was killed while two other occupants were seriously injured.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680F in Reynoldsdale: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 15, 1967 at 0420 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N718MS

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Altoona - Philadelphia

Location:

Reynoldsdale

Pennsylvania

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3991

Captain / Total hours on type:

1972.00

Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane departed Altoona Airport at 0328LT. Few minutes after takeoff, the pilot informed ATC he was starting the descent to Philadelphia Airport located 172 miles east of his position. About an hour later, apparently disoriented, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in an open field located in Reynoldsdale. The pilot and a passenger were killed while the second passenger was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

The pilot became lost and disoriented due to physical impairment caused by excessive alcohol consumption.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680F in Elkhart

Date & Time: Dec 19, 1966 at 1636 LT

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

N342WS

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

680-1236-121

YOM:

1962

Location:

Elkhart

Indiana

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7336

Captain / Total hours on type:

1670.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Elkhart Airport, after passing the VOR, the pilot cancelled his IFR flight plan and continued under VFR mode despite poor weather conditions (low ceiling and snow falls). While circling to land, he failed to locate the runway that was covered with snow and the aircraft was not properly aligned with runway. The airplane overshot and then collided with a building before crashing on the ground. The pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

The pilot misjudged distance, speed and altitude and failed to align the aircraft on the intended landing area. Poorly planned approach. Poor weather conditions and local conditions were considered as contributing factors.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680E in Minneapolis: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 9, 1966 at 1543 LT

Type of aircraft:

R.D. Marcotte & Associates

Operator:

Registration:

N8496C

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

680E-846-71

YOM:

1960

Location:

Minneapolis-Saint Paul

Minnesota

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4826

Captain / Total hours on type:

117.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Minneapolis-World Chamberlain Airport, while climbing, the pilot informed ATC about fire on board and that smoke spread in the cabin and cockpit. He elected to make an emergency landing when control was lost and the airplane crashed in flames on Interstate highway. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that a fire broke out in the baggage compartment for unknown reason.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680 in Spring City: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 2, 1966 at 1945 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N6857S

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Location:

Spring City

Tennessee

Country:

Region: