Tomar Airways

Rockwell Grand Commander 680

At about 60 feet agl black smoke was observed coming from the left engine. The aircraft continued a climb in a nose high attitude and the nose pitched down and the aircraft rolled inverted. Engine teardown revealed extensive damage to the supercharger assembly. The impeller shaft was bent and its associated bearing damaged. The aircraft had not flown for about 14 years. Engine service instructions describe pre-oiling of the supercharger drive shaft bearing after any prolonged period of inactivity. The owner, a paraplegic, was seated in the left seat. The pilot seated in the right seat had a history of heart and pulmonary disease. The gear and flaps were in the down position. Prior to departure, a witness asked the owner 'are you doing the elevators and ailerons and is he your rudders.' the owner responded with 'we have an arrangement'. Both occupants were killed.