Youngstown – Plattsburgh – Burlington – Youngstown

On November 20, 1983 at 06:19 PM, Youngstown – Plattsburgh – Burlington – Youngstown experienced a crash involving Rockwell Aero Commander 500, operated by Walley Construction Company, with the event recorded near Franklin-Venango-Chess Lamberton Field Pennsylvania.

The flight was categorized as executive/corporate/business and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

6 people were known to be on board, 6 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 5, passenger fatalities: 5, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. Before departing Youngstown, OH, the pilot filed two IFR flight plans, one for a flight to Plattsburgh, NY, the other for a return flight from Plattsburgh back to Youngstown. After a 2 hour and 10 minutes flight to Plattsburgh, 70 gallons of fuel was added, but the person who serviced the aircraft indicated the tanks were not full after servicing. The plane then made a 10 minutes flight to Burlington, VT, but no fuel was added at Burlington. The pilot then took off on a return flight to Youngstown. During the descent phase to Youngstown, the pilot requested vectors to the closest airport. He was provide vectors to the Chess Lamberton Airport and advised it was 6 miles away. A short time later, the pilot said the aircraft had lost power. Subsequently, it crashed in rolling, wooded terrain. During an exam, no fuel was found in the aircraft. No other evidence of a malfunction or failure was found. With the passenger and cargo load, a maximum of about 104 gallons of fuel could have been used without exceeding the certificated gross weight of the aircraft. At 45 to 55% power, the aircraft burned 17 to 22 gallons per hour. Wind gusts 30 knots. All six occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration N6226X, MSN 500-1098-52, year of manufacture 1961.