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Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Gary

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1966 at 1545 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 520
Operator:
Registration:
N1914
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Gary - Gary
MSN:
520-122
YOM:
1953
Location:
Gary
Indiana
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training flight in Gary, Indiana, simulating engine failure. En route, one of the pilot voluntarily cut one of the engine to simulate a failure. After few seconds, he was unable to restart the engine nor to raise the gear and due to an insufficient speed, the airplane stalled and crashed in a gravel pit. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
The crew failed to follow the approved procedures. Improper emergency procedures.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680 near Meeker: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 20, 1966 at 2310 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N94T
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Meeker
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
2300
Circumstances:
While cruising by night, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low clouds and heavy rain falls. At cruising altitude, control was lost. The aircraft went into an uncontrolled descent and eventually crashed in an uninhabited area located in the region of Meeker. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the pilot did not receive a correct weather forecast prior to departure. Investigations revealed that he continued under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions and lost control of the airplane after suffering a spatial disorientation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680 in Red Bluff: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1966 at 1307 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N6820S
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
680-326-20
YOM:
1956
Location:
Red Bluff
California
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:
2000
Captain / Total hours on type:
56.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the pilot informed ATC about an engine failure and obtained the permission to divert to Red Bluff Airport for an emergency landing. While approaching Red Bluff-Bidwell Field, the pilot was unable to maintain a safe altitude and due to an insufficient speed, the airplane stalled and crashed in a field located few miles from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reason. Failed to maintain flying speed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon in Phoenix: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 3, 1966 at 1504 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Harpoon
Operator:
Registration:
N7258C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Phoenix - Phoenix
MSN:
15-1103
YOM:
1944
Location:
Phoenix-Sky Harbor
Arizona
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
7000
Captain / Total hours on type:
250.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Phoenix-Sky Harbor Airport. While cruising in the vicinity of the airfield, the pilot informed ATC about an engine fire and elected to return for an emergency landing when control was lost. The airplane crash in flames into a residential area located near the airport. The airplane and three houses were destroyed. Both pilots were killed while no one on the ground was injured.
Probable cause:
Engine fire in flight for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Abernathy

Date & Time: Dec 27, 1965 at 1510 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 520
Operator:
Registration:
N33L
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
520-52
YOM:
1953
Location:
Abernathy
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1110
Captain / Total hours on type:
110.00
Circumstances:
While cruising in marginal weather conditions, one of the engine failed. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, the pilot elected to make an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in an open field located in Abernathy. All four occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed. Weather conditions were marginal at the time of the accident with icing.
Probable cause:
Engine failure or malfunction in flight after a magneto failed due to icing conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-44 Widgeon off Lagos

Date & Time: Nov 25, 1965 at 1905 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-44 Widgeon
Operator:
Registration:
N37187
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
1237
YOM:
1942
Location:
Lagos
Lagos
Country:
Nigeria
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4000
Captain / Total hours on type:
30.00
Circumstances:
While flying along the coast, one of the engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed into the sea off Lagos. The pilot was seriously injured while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the engine failure could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680 in Meeker

Date & Time: Oct 18, 1965 at 0840 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N6228D
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Meeker
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7300
Captain / Total hours on type:
420.00
Circumstances:
En route, the pilot informed ATC that one of the engine failed and obtained the permission to divert to the nearest airport for an emergency landing. Shortly later, the pilot realized it would be impossible for him to reach the airport so he decided to attempt an emergency landing in an open field. The airplane slid for several yards before coming to rest. All four occupants were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure caused by fuel contaminated with water. Investigations determined that the aircraft was refueled during a heavy rainstorm at the departure airport, causing water to spill into fuel tanks.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft TC-45G Expeditor in Cambridge

Date & Time: Aug 17, 1965 at 1154 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Registration:
N159L
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
AF-64
YOM:
1952
Location:
Cambridge-Dorchester
Maryland
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
11000
Captain / Total hours on type:
400.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Cambridge Airport, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. The pilot contacted ground and expected to return for an emergency landing but the airplane lost height, struck trees and crashed in flames. While the pilot was uninjured, the airplane was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild C-82A Packet off Campeche

Date & Time: Jul 29, 1965 at 2000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-82 Packet
Operator:
Registration:
N4834V
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
10103
YOM:
1945
Location:
Campeche
Campeche
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5000
Captain / Total hours on type:
150.00
Circumstances:
En route, one of the engine failed. The captain decided to ditch the aircraft off Campeche. The airplane came to rest partially submerged few dozen yards off shore and all three crew members were rescued.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 off Bimini

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1965 at 1045 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N84T
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Location:
Bimini
Bimini
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
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:
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