Rockwell Grand Commander 680

Operator:

We McLaughlin

Registration:

N11GT

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Alabaster - Alabaster

MSN:

680-1357-36

YOM:

1963

Location:

Alabaster-Shelby County

Alabama

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7205

Captain / Total hours on type:

1710.00

Aircraft flight hours:

3516

Circumstances:

Prior to the post-maintenance inspection flight the pilot/owner, who is a certificated a&p mechanic, had been calibrating the fuel flow on the right engine fuel injector pump. An external line had been connected to the fuel flow transmitter fitting of the fuel injector. Prior to the test flight the external line was removed and the fuel flow replaced. About 10 min after takeoff the pilot observed flames from 25 to 15 psi. The right engine was shut down and the prop feathered. After landing the pilot was unable to taxi the aircraft and the aircraft was abandoned.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: fire
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (c) fuel system,line fitting - improper
2. (c) maintenance,installation - improper - pilot in command
3. (c) fuel system,line fitting - leak
4. Fuel system - fire

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680E near Savoonga: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 7, 1981 at 1442 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N6272B

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Postal (mail)

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Gambell - Nome

MSN:

680-716-26

YOM:

1959

Location:

Savoonga

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

878

Captain / Total hours on type:

200.00

Circumstances:

While cruising at an altitude of 2,000 feet in marginal weather conditions on a mail flight from Gambell to Nome, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with ground after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Adverse winds aloft,
- Sky overcast 500 to 600 feet.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FL in Christiansted: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 16, 1981 at 1159 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

P. R. Gerrits

Registration:

N6600M

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Christiansted-Henry E. Rohlsen (ex Alexander Hamilton)

Schedule:

San Juan - Christiansted

MSN:

680-1367-41

YOM:

1963

Location:

All US Virgin Islands

Country:

US Virgin Islands

Region:

Central America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2000

Captain / Total hours on type:

500.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Christiansted-Alexander Hamilton Airport, the twin engine airplane rolled to the left and descended until it crashed, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Complete engine failure one engine,
- Fuel boost pump found in off position,
- Fuel selector to outboard tanks,
- Mixtures lean,
- Propeller not feathered.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FLP in Columbia

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1980 at 2222 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Cay International

Registration:

N1167Z

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Cleveland - Columbia

MSN:

680-1499-16

YOM:

1965

Location:

Columbia

South Carolina

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6150

Captain / Total hours on type:

225.00

Circumstances:

While descending to Columbia Airport, while initiating a last turn to intercept the glide, the pilot modified the position of the fuel selector from the auxiliary tanks to the main tank when both engines lost power. He attempted a forced landing when the airplane struck a dirt bank and crashed. Both occupants were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Engine failure on final approach due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel starvation,
- Rough terrain,
- Both auxiliary tanks near empty.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Newburgh: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 16, 1980 at 1411 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N1520K

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Newburgh - Hudson

MSN:

680-0730-32

YOM:

1959

Location:

Newburgh-Stewart

New York

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

182

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Newburgh-Stewart Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane banked right then stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Complete engine failure during initial climb due to improper maintenance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper maintenance on part of the owner personnel,
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Champion RHB32E plugs installed, not approved,
- Cowl fasteners missing.

Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Sep 3, 1980 at 0453 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Clark Aviation

Registration:

N4700E

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Chicago - Peoria - Bloomington

MSN:

680-1779-148

YOM:

1968

Location:

Chicago-Midway

Illinois

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2079

Captain / Total hours on type:

10.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Chicago-Midway Airport, on a cargo flight to Bloomington via Peoria, the pilot encountered a loss of power on the left engine. The pilot attempted to return for an emergency landing when the airplane entered a tight turn, lost height, struck trees and crashed in a wooded area, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure due to valve assemblies material failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to follow approved procedures,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- N°5 exhaust valve seat in left engine came out of recession,
- Witness observed aircraft in tight turn back to airport.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FLP near Iola: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1980 at 1310 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Flying Eagles

Registration:

N6515V

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

680-1599-25

YOM:

1966

Location:

Iola

Texas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft has been stolen in an airport and used for marijuana transportation. En route, one of the engine stopped due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in a prairie near Iola, Texas. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled collision with ground following an engine failure in flight due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions on part of the pilot,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Stolen aircraft,
- Complete failure one engine,
- Owner reported aircraft stolen,
- 935 lbs of marijuana found in aircraft,
- CofG approximately 5 inches behind aft limit.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Turbo Commander 680V in Jackson: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 7, 1980 at 2043 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Astro Wings

Registration:

N2755H

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers (Allen C. Thompson)

Schedule:

New Orleans - Jackson

MSN:

680-1628-55

YOM:

1966

Location:

Mississippi

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3000

Captain / Total hours on type:

80.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Jackson-Allen C. Thompson Airport, while established on the localizer, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in a field located about 1,2 mile short of runway. The passenger was killed and the pilot was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled collision with ground on final approach after the pilot continued flight into known areas of severe turbulences. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Windshear,
- Turbulences associated with clouds and thunderstorms,
- Downdrafts, updrafts,
- Thunderstorm activity,
- Wind gusting 25 knots,
- Pilot received pireps of windshear, turbulences and downdrafts in vicinity of airport.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FL in Sebring: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 14, 1980 at 1701 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Nilo Batista

Registration:

N662B

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

680-1347-28

YOM:

1963

Location:

Sebring

Florida

Country:

Region: