Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680 in South Haven: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 10, 1966 at 1250 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Jack Adams Air
Registration:
N209PP
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
South Haven
Mississippi
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
10000
Captain / Total hours on type:
300.00
Circumstances:
The pilot was conducting a ferry flight out from Memphis-Metropolitan Airport. While in cruising altitude, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent. Due to overload failure, several parts of the airplane separated and it eventually crashed in an open field located near South Haven. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed the loss of control was the result of a temporary pilot incapacitation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680 near Meeker: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 20, 1966 at 2310 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N94T
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Meeker
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
2300
Circumstances:
While cruising by night, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low clouds and heavy rain falls. At cruising altitude, control was lost. The aircraft went into an uncontrolled descent and eventually crashed in an uninhabited area located in the region of Meeker. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the pilot did not receive a correct weather forecast prior to departure. Investigations revealed that he continued under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions and lost control of the airplane after suffering a spatial disorientation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680 in Red Bluff: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1966 at 1307 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N6820S
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
680-326-20
YOM:
1956
Location:
Red Bluff
California
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:
2000
Captain / Total hours on type:
56.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the pilot informed ATC about an engine failure and obtained the permission to divert to Red Bluff Airport for an emergency landing. While approaching Red Bluff-Bidwell Field, the pilot was unable to maintain a safe altitude and due to an insufficient speed, the airplane stalled and crashed in a field located few miles from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reason. Failed to maintain flying speed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680 in Kite: 6 killed

Date & Time: Dec 6, 1965 at 1610 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Central Airways (USA)
Registration:
N6819S
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
680-325-19
YOM:
1956
Location:
Kite
Kentucky
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
2100
Circumstances:
En route, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with snow showers. In a visibility reduced to two miles, the pilot-in-command lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed in a huge explosion in an open field. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The crew failed to maintain the flying speed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680 in Meeker

Date & Time: Oct 18, 1965 at 0840 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N6228D
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Meeker
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7300
Captain / Total hours on type:
420.00
Circumstances:
En route, the pilot informed ATC that one of the engine failed and obtained the permission to divert to the nearest airport for an emergency landing. Shortly later, the pilot realized it would be impossible for him to reach the airport so he decided to attempt an emergency landing in an open field. The airplane slid for several yards before coming to rest. All four occupants were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure caused by fuel contaminated with water. Investigations determined that the aircraft was refueled during a heavy rainstorm at the departure airport, causing water to spill into fuel tanks.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680 into Tustumena Lake: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 4, 1965 at 0940 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N6305U
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Location:
Tustumena Lake
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
5184
Captain / Total hours on type:
403.00
Circumstances:
En route, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and while cruising at low height, the airplane struck the water surface and crashed into Tustumena Lake. The airplane sank and was not recovered. A passenger survived and was slightly injured while four other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot misjudged distance and altitude and continued under VFR mode into adverse weather conditions. The lake was glassy at the time of the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of an Aero Commander 680 in Westfield: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1964 at 2200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N344S
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Washington DC – Westfield
MSN:
680-448-119
YOM:
1956
Location:
Westfield-Barnes
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
10759
Captain / Total hours on type:
731.00
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Washington DC, the pilot started the approach to Westfield-Barnes Airport in marginal weather with a visibility less than two miles due to fog. On final, while under control, the twin engine aircraft struck the ground about three miles short of runway, near Southampton. The pilot and a passenger were killed while three other occupants were injured.
Crew:
Edwin T. Zimny. †
Passengers:
Ted Kennedy, Senator,
Birch Bayh, Senator,
Mrs Bayh,
Edward Moss, personnel assistant to Mr. Kennedy. †
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operations on part of the pilot.
Final Report:

Crash of an Aero Commander 680F off San José del Cabo: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1964 at 0100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N264X
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
680-796-54
YOM:
1959
Location:
San José del Cabo
Baja California Sur
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot attempted to takeoff from a private airstrip at San José del Cabo by night. Shortly after liftoff, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane struck power cables, stalled and crashed into the sea some 50 meters off shore. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed. The airplane was owned by the industrial Juan Abelardo Rodriguez Sullivan.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 near Cali: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 17, 1962 at 1007 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-553
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Buenaventura – Cali
MSN:
680-454-124
YOM:
1958
Location:
Cali
Valle del Cauca
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft left Buenaventura Airport at 0940LT for 45 minutes flight to Cali, ETA 1025LT. En route, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances, killing all four occupants.

Crash of an Aero Commander RL-26D at Mackall AAF: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 19, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
58-5512
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
680-529-199
YOM:
1958
Location:
Mackall AAF
North Carolina
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
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Mackall AAF, while climbing, the airplane went out of control and crashed three miles south of the airfield. Both occupants were killed.
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