Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 690 in Palmyra: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 5, 2024 at 0900 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 690
Operator:
Commander 690 BM
Registration:
N690BM
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Manassas - Georgetown
MSN:
690-11311
YOM:
1976
Location:
Palmyra
Virginia
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
Circumstances:
After departure from Manassas-Harry P. Davis Field Airport, Virginia, the twin engine airplane continued to the southwest, bound for Georgetown, South Carolina. While cruising at an altitude of 20,000 feet and approaching an area of marginal weather conditions, the pilot apparently elected to modify his route when the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a wooded area located in Palmyra. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 in Georgetown: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1999 at 1525 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Thomas H. Hoffman
Registration:
N6261B
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Georgetown - Orlando
MSN:
500-0688-34
YOM:
1958
Location:
Georgetown
South Carolina
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:
564
Captain / Total hours on type:
69.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3783
Circumstances:
The non instrument-rated pilot attempted VFR flight into known instrument flight conditions after being briefed by an FAA Automated Flight Service Station that VFR flight was not recommended. The pilot encountered instrument flight conditions while maneuvering on initial takeoff climb, experienced an in-flight loss of control (stall/spin) due to failure to maintain airspeed, and subsequent in-flight collision with trees and terrain.
Probable cause:
The non instrument-rated pilot's improper decision to attempt VFR flight into known instrument flight conditions, willful disregard of FAA Automated Flight Service Station weather forecast/weather observations, failure to maintain airspeed (VSO) while maneuvering on initial takeoff climb, resulting in an in-flight loss of control (inadvertent stall/spin), and subsequent in-flight collision with trees and terrain.
Final Report:
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