Country
Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 700 in Beaverdell
Date & Time:
May 31, 2016 at 2125 LT
Operator:
Registration:
C-GBCM
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Boise – Kelowna
MSN:
700-27
YOM:
1980
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft performed a technical stop in Boise, Idaho, enroute from Arizona to Kelowna. While flying at an altitude of 8,500 feet, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in a flat area located near Beaverdell, about 37 miles south of Kelowna. By night, the airplane crash landed in a Christmas tree plantation, hit several trees and a fence and eventually came to rest. All six occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. According to preliminary information, there was still enough fuel in the tanks, and investigations will have to determine the cause of the double engine failure.
Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 700 near La Ceiba: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Aug 3, 2004
Registration:
N9911S
Survivors:
No
MSN:
700-11
YOM:
1978
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew departed La Ceiba-Goloson Airport on a flight to Costa Rica. Six minutes after takeoff, several radio contacts were made with ATC when radar contact was lost. SAR operations were conducted on a large area but all operations were suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor both occupants was found. It is believed that the airplane probably crashed in a dense jungle area.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 700 near Mt Elmo: 5 killed
Date & Time:
Nov 28, 1995 at 1946 LT
Registration:
N9920S
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Calgary - Hillsboro
MSN:
700-020
YOM:
1978
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total hours on type:
100.00
Circumstances:
At about 1826 mountain standard time (MST), the aircraft, with the pilot and four passengers on board, departed the Calgary International Airport, Alberta, on a night instrument flight rules (IFR) flight to Hillsboro, Oregon, USA. At about 1946 the aircraft disappeared from the Vancouver Area Control Centre (ACC) radar screen in the vicinity of Castlegar, British Columbia. The Victoria Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) was notified, and search aircraft were dispatched. Despite bi-national search cooperation and radar fixes of the aircraft's last known position (LKP), a seven-day search failed to locate the missing aircraft. An emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal was not received. On 14 June 1996, the wreckage was located at latitude 49°14'48"N, longitude 117°03'20"W, at an elevation of approximately 6,700 feet above sea level (asl). The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire. The pilot and four passengers were fatally injured.
Probable cause:
It could not be determined why the aircraft departed cruise flight and began a rapid descent from which the pilot did not recover. It was determined, however, that the pilot attempted flight through an area where the probability of severe clear icing, in freezing drizzle, was predicted by the area forecast.
Final Report:
Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 700 in Pompano Beach: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Oct 12, 1987 at 1437 LT
Registration:
N26574
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Pompano Beach – Melbourne
MSN:
700-06
YOM:
1978
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
1565
Circumstances:
Witnesses stated that just after takeoff, the left engine started to leave a trail of white smoke, the aircraft then turned left back towards the airport and crashed into the street. Post crash examination revealed one of the left engine crankshaft counterweights failed causing the #6 cylinder connecting rod to break and puncture a hole in the upper engine case. Both propellers were found in feather. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - mech failure/malf
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. 1 engine
2. (c) eng assembly, crankshaft counterweights/vib damper - failure, total
3. Propeller feathering - performed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
4. All engines
5. (c) wrong propeller feathered - inadvertent - pilot in command
6. (f) in-flight planning/decision - poor - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
7. (c) airspeed - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #4: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. 1 engine
2. (c) eng assembly, crankshaft counterweights/vib damper - failure, total
3. Propeller feathering - performed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
4. All engines
5. (c) wrong propeller feathered - inadvertent - pilot in command
6. (f) in-flight planning/decision - poor - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
7. (c) airspeed - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #4: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:
Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 700 in Palacios
Date & Time:
Jan 26, 1981 at 1640 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N703SA
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Palacios - Houston
MSN:
700-31
YOM:
1980
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
410.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Palacios Airport, while climbing, both engines lost power. The pilot was cleared to return for an emergency landing and initiated a turn. While flying at low height, the twin engine airplane struck power cables and crashed in a field. All four occupants were slightly injured.
Probable cause:
Partial loss of power on both engines due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improperly serviced aircraft by ground crew,
- Improper fuel-grade,
- High obstructions (power cables),
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Aircraft serviced with Jet A fuel.
- Improperly serviced aircraft by ground crew,
- Improper fuel-grade,
- High obstructions (power cables),
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Aircraft serviced with Jet A fuel.
Final Report:
Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 700 in Everett: 5 killed
Date & Time:
Feb 15, 1980 at 1615 LT
Registration:
N9908S
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Everett - Portland
MSN:
700-08
YOM:
1978
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total hours on type:
66.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Everett-Paine Field Airport, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to climb, stalled and crashed. Two passengers were seriously injured while five other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Stall during initial climb due to inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Airframe ice,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- 1,000 lbs over max gross weight,
- CofG 1,59 inch behind aft limit,
- Ice and snow on wings and tail prior to takeoff.
- Airframe ice,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- 1,000 lbs over max gross weight,
- CofG 1,59 inch behind aft limit,
- Ice and snow on wings and tail prior to takeoff.
Final Report:
