Rockwell Grand Commander 680

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Adnas Air Service

Registration:

ET-ADQ

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

680-841-69

YOM:

1959

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After landing, the twin engine airplane went out of control and came to rest in a ravine. All six occupants were injured.

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 into the Pacific Ocean

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1975

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

ZK-DHF

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Pago Pago - Honolulu

MSN:

680-1429-71

YOM:

1964

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a positioning flight from Pago Pago to Honolulu. While approaching Honolulu from the south, the crew informed ATC about the failure of both engines and reduced his altitude in an attempt to ditch the aircraft about 100 km south of Honolulu. Both pilots were quickly rescued while the airplane sank and was lost.

Probable cause:

Double engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion. It is believed that the fuel quantity was insufficient to cover the distance or that the crew encountered strong headwinds, increasing the fuel consumption.

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Rochester

Date & Time: Feb 19, 1975 at 0932 LT

Type of aircraft:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Operator:

Registration:

G-ASHI

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Rochester - Woodford

MSN:

680-658-255

YOM:

1958

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8237

Captain / Total hours on type:

509.00

Aircraft flight hours:

3615

Circumstances:

After takeoff from runway 03 at Rochester City Airport, while climbing to a height of 900 feet, the left engine gradually lost power. The pilot increased power on the right engine and feathered the left propeller. After passing over the M2 highway at a speed of 100 knots, he expected to return to the airfield when the right engine lost power as well. He attempted an emergency landing by the motorway and the airplane crash landed at a speed of 85 knots before coming to rest. All four occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

The accident was caused by kerosene being placed in a petrol supply at Rochester City Airport. The aircraft, which had been refuelled with the mixed product from the supply, suffered a loss of engine power after takeoff. Thus led to a forced landing in difficult circumstances on unsuitable terrain. The loss of engine power resulted from damage to the engines due to their being run on contaminated fuel.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 off Palm Beach

Date & Time: Feb 9, 1975 at 1020 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Nancy M. Ackley

Registration:

N680LP

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Winter Haven - Marsh Harbour

MSN:

680-323-17

YOM:

1956

Location:

Palm Beach-Intl

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2435

Captain / Total hours on type:

457.00

Circumstances:

En route from Winter Haven to Marsh Harbour, Bahamas, the pilot informed ATC that the left engine caught fire. He reduced his altitude and ditched the airplane few miles off Palm Beach. The airplane sank and was lost while the pilot, sole on board, was rescued. The wreckage was not recovered.

Probable cause:

Engine failure or malfunction during normal cruise for undetermined reasons. The following findings were reported:
- Fire in engine,
- Aircraft ditched due to engine fire following failure of left engine,
- Wreckage not found.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FP in Cynthiana: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 5, 1974 at 0705 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Court Insurance Company

Registration:

N46832

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Cincinnati - Fort Lauderdale

MSN:

680-3177-142

YOM:

1964

Location:

Cynthiana

Kentucky

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1400

Circumstances:

While cruising by night at an altitude of 16,000 feet, the twin engine airplane went out of control, entered a dive and crashed in a near vertical attitude in a field located in Cynthiana. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. However, it was reported that control was lost shortly after the pilot informed ATC he was climbing from FL150 to FL170.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680F near Sells: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1974 at 1754 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Al Harmon

Registration:

N2500T

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Desert

Schedule:

Tucson - Tucson

MSN:

680-1158-98

YOM:

1962

Location:

Sells

Arizona

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2498

Captain / Total hours on type:

98.00

Circumstances:

While approaching Sells, Arizona, the twin engine airplane was flying at a very low altitude (30 feet above the ground) when it struck a cactus and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

The pilot failed to see and avoid objects or obstructions. The following factors were reported :
- Unwarranted low flying,
- High obstructions,
- Hit cactus at 30 feet AGL,
- $ 5,270 cash found at accident site.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680E in Birmingham: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 22, 1973 at 1228 LT

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

N277LP

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Birmingham - Birmingham

MSN:

680-775-48

YOM:

1959

Location:

Birmingham

Alabama

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1500

Captain / Total hours on type:

500.00

Circumstances:

The pilot, sole on board, was completing a local flight in Birmingham. On approach, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed few miles from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Probable cause:

Loss of control after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following factors were reported:
- Misjudged distances, speed and altitude,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Observed nose high,
- Slow flight conditions,
- Aircraft last flown 8 September 1973.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Rancho Alegre

Date & Time: Nov 1, 1973

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

CP-1003

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route, an engine failed. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in a swampy area in Rancho Alegre. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight.

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

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1973 at 1021 LT

Type of aircraft:

Western Commander Aviation

Operator:

Registration:

N7377B

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Van Nuys - Fullerton

MSN:

680-1402-57

YOM:

1964

Location:

Van Nuys

California

Country:

Region: