Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Innsbruck: 7 killed

Date & Time: May 21, 1970 at 1043 LT
Operator:
Registration:
OE-FAV
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Munich - Innsbruck
MSN:
680-1611-117
YOM:
1966
Flight number:
VRV002
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
2015
Captain / Total hours on type:
57.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2206
Copilot / Total hours on type:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
3025
Circumstances:
On final approach to Innsbruck-Kranebitten Airport, the airplane banked right, stalled and crashed into the Inn River, about 350 meters short of runway 08 threshold. The airplane was destroyed and all seven occupants were killed. Control was lost just when the crew was cleared to land on runway 08.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the loss of control occurred when the right engine failed on final approach due to fuel exhaustion. Investigations revealed that the crew failed to prepare the flight properly and failed to embark sufficient fuel for the requested trip. The lack of experience on this type of aircraft was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680F in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1970 at 1440 LT
Operator:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Treviso - Milan
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While descending to Milan-Linate Airport in marginal weather conditions, the pilot encountered engine problems and decided to reduce his altitude to attempt an emergency landing. In poor visibility due to fog, the twin engine aircraft struck the ground and crashed in a field located in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, about 23 km southeast from Linate Airport. Both occupants, the Italian Industrialist Antonio Pesce (55) and his son Adriano (25) were killed.

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

Date & Time: Apr 25, 1969
Operator:
Registration:
HK-1317W
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
680-391-71
YOM:
1956
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed in a mountainous terrain located about 80 km west of Cali, killing all four occupants.

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FL in Paris: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 19, 1968 at 1036 LT
Registration:
N224W
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
680-1561-109
YOM:
1965
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
8700
Captain / Total hours on type:
63.00
Circumstances:
While cruising under VFR mode, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed near Paris, Texas. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent after the aircraft encountered thunderstorm activity and turbulences. Overload failure.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FL near Bangor: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1966 at 2000 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N226AA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
680-339-32
YOM:
1956
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
918
Captain / Total hours on type:
48.00
Circumstances:
While cruising in poor weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered an uncontrolled descent until it crashed in an open field located near Bangor. The airplane was destroyed and both occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with rain falls, low clouds and fog. The pilot was not instrument rated.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot who continued under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions. Loss of control caused by a spatial disorientation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 off Bimini

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1965 at 1045 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N84T
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6500
Captain / Total hours on type:
80.00
Circumstances:
While approaching an airport in the region of Bimini, one of the engine failed. As the airplane became unstable, the pilot decided to reduce his altitude and ditched the aircraft off shore. The airplane sank rapidly and was lost while the pilot was rescued. The aircraft was not recovered.
Probable cause:
Failure of one engine in flight for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Charlotte: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 4, 1964 at 0112 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N6271D
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
680-540-209
YOM:
1957
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
5545
Captain / Total hours on type:
100.00
Circumstances:
The pilot was completing a night approach to Charlotte-Douglas Airport when, on short final, the twin engine aircraft struck trees and crashed in flames in a wooded area. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operations on part of the pilot. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were slightly worse than forecast.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680S on Mt Ruapehu: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1961 at 1155 LT
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-BWA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Wellington – Rotorua
MSN:
680-437-109
YOM:
1958
Flight number:
92
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
4300
Captain / Total hours on type:
3000.00
Aircraft flight hours:
5040
Aircraft flight cycles:
11440
Circumstances:
At 1117LT flight 92 departed Wellington Airport on a scheduled flight to Rotorua. The flight cleared Wellington Control Zone and later reported its position at Foxton and east of Ohakea. No further messages ware received from the aircraft, and no distress calls were heard. At 1155LT the aircraft was sighted over the northeast slopes of Mount Ruapehu. A few seconds later the starboard wing, complete with engine, separated from the fuselage. As the rest of the structure plunged towards the ground an explosion occurred, and the fuselage burst into flames. The aircraft crashed on the face of the mountain, and the pilot and five passengers died instantly. The accident occurred at an altitude of 7 300 ft amsl, 1 276 yd from Te Heu Heu Peak.
Crew:
Cpt Alf Bartlett, pilot.
Passengers:
Marlene Boynton,
Nicholas Crook 2 children
Irvine Down.
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident was the detachment of the starboard mainplane in flight. A contributory cause was the decision of the pilot to fly close to the summit of the mountain in an aircraft in which, unknown to him, the starboard wing structure had been appreciably weakened by a combination of spar cap fractures and fatigue cracking derived from a past incident. Severe turbulence or some pilot manoeuvre caused the starboard propeller to strike a part of the mountain and the resultant vibrational loads, together with the effects of violent turbulence encountered thereafter, imposed stresses which the weakened wing structure was incapable of withstanding.
Final Report: