MGS Corporation

Rockwell Grand Commander 690

On September 16, 2003, at 1430 central daylight time, an Aero Commander 690 twin-engine airplane, N302WB was destroyed upon impact with trees and terrain while attempting a takeoff from an airstrip near Soto La Marina, in the State of Tamaulipas, in the Republic of Mexico. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to the QEAT-4 LLC., in Naples, Florida, and was being operated by the MGS Corporation of Laredo, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the business flight for which no flight plan was filed. The flight's destination was reported to be Laredo, Texas. Local authorities reported that the turboprop powered airplane, serial number 11003, had previously sustained some damage to the nose landing gear and the owner had replaced the nose landing gear prior to attempting to depart from the airstrip.

Rockwell Aero Commander 500

After departing on an IFR flight in VFR conditions, the flight had been cleared to climb from 3,000 to 4,000 feet, when the right engine lost power. The pilots diverted toward an uncontrolled airport, secured the right engine, & cancelled their IFR clearance. They made an approach to land on runway 15, then attempted a single engine go-around. During the go-around, the airplane yawed/rolled to the right in what the passenger believed was a VMC roll. It then struck power lines & crashed in a right wing low attitude. Investigation revealed that both pilots held multi-engine ratings. The owner said the pilot (PIC) had flown the airplane for a short time on 12/21/98; however, no other record was found to verify that either the pilot or copilot had flight experience in this make/model of airplane. Examination of the wreckage revealed evidence that the flaps were retracted, the landing gear was in transit, the left propeller was operating with power, & the right propeller was feathered. The airplane had a history of fuel flow fluctuations in the right engine. The diaphragm (P/N 364446) in the right engine distributor valve assembly was found ruptured. It was an old style diaphragm, which was colored black. Bendix Service Bulletin RS-76, issued 11/15/80, called for replacement of the black diaphragm with a red fluorosilicone diaphragm (P/N 245088) at overhaul. The engine was overhauled in June 1992. During maintenance in December 1997, both fuel system injectors & nozzles were tested; however, the distributor valve assembles were not tested. Calculations showed the airplane was loaded 116.3 lbs over the maximum allowable gross weight & 1.3 inches forward of the allowable CG range.