Monroe - Monroe
Flight / Schedule
Monroe - Monroe
Aircraft
Rockwell Aero Commander 500Registration
N1HV
MSN
500-0950-16
Year of Manufacture
1960
Operator
Robin WilliamsDate
November 1, 2002 at 11:30 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Demonstration
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Plain, Valley
Crash Location
Rayville Louisiana
Region
North America • United States of America
Coordinates
32.4747°, -91.7568°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On November 1, 2002 at 11:30 AM, Monroe - Monroe experienced a crash involving Rockwell Aero Commander 500, operated by Robin Williams, with the event recorded near Rayville Louisiana.
The flight was categorized as demonstration and the reported phase was flight at a plain, valley crash site.
3 people were known to be on board, 3 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: 2, passenger fatalities: 2, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. The twin-engine airplane was observed at a low altitude of approximately 1,000 feet agl performing power off stall maneuvers. The witness described the first stall maneuver initiation and recovery as "good." During the second stall maneuver, the nose rose higher than it did during the first maneuver, the right wing dropped, followed by a steep nose down attitude. The airplane rotated about one and one half revolutions before disappearing behind trees. Prior to ground impact, the witness heard the engines rev up. The purpose of the flight was to demonstrate the airplane to a prospective buyer. A radar and aircraft performance study indicated that the accident airplane departed the airport and began a series of heading, speed and altitude changes ultimately crashing 14.6 nautical miles east of the departure airport. During several time periods, calculations of the calibrated airspeed indicated a trend towards and below published stall speeds of 63 knots flaps extended and 71 knots flaps retracted. No structural or mechanical anomalies were observed during an examination of the airplane and engine.
Aircraft reference details include registration N1HV, MSN 500-0950-16, year of manufacture 1960.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 32.4747°, -91.7568°.
Fatalities
Total
3
Crew
1
Passengers
2
Other
0
Crash Summary
The twin-engine airplane was observed at a low altitude of approximately 1,000 feet agl performing power off stall maneuvers. The witness described the first stall maneuver initiation and recovery as "good." During the second stall maneuver, the nose rose higher than it did during the first maneuver, the right wing dropped, followed by a steep nose down attitude. The airplane rotated about one and one half revolutions before disappearing behind trees. Prior to ground impact, the witness heard the engines rev up. The purpose of the flight was to demonstrate the airplane to a prospective buyer. A radar and aircraft performance study indicated that the accident airplane departed the airport and began a series of heading, speed and altitude changes ultimately crashing 14.6 nautical miles east of the departure airport. During several time periods, calculations of the calibrated airspeed indicated a trend towards and below published stall speeds of 63 knots flaps extended and 71 knots flaps retracted. No structural or mechanical anomalies were observed during an examination of the airplane and engine.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
1
Passengers On Board
2
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 3
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Monroe - Monroe
Operator
Robin WilliamsFlight Type
Demonstration
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Plain, Valley
Region / Country
North America • United States of America
