Rockwell Aero Commander 560

Millenium Air

The airplane departed and was climbing to an assigned altitude when the pilot informed an air traffic controller of a loss of engine power on the left engine. The pilot received radar vectors back to the departure airport and reported the airport in sight. There was no further communication with the controller. Review of radar data revealed that the airplane was about 825 feet from and 200 feet above the landing runway threshold. Seventeen seconds later, the airplane was at 100 feet above ground level and left of the intended landing runway. The last radar return was 5 seconds later, and the airplane was at 200 feet above ground level. A witness observed the airplane in the vicinity of landing runway. The airplane pitched straight up, stalled, spun to the left three times before it collided with the ground and caught fire. Postcrash examination of the airframe and flight controls revealed no anomalies. The left engine was disassembled and all connecting rods were intact except for the No.2 connecting rod. Metallugical examination of the connecting rod revealed that the bearing failed, most likely due to a progressive delamination of the bearing. Review of the airplane flight manual revealed a minimum of 300 feet of altitude is required to recover from power-off stalls with 7500 pounds at both forward and aft center of gravity. The stall speed with the landing gear and flaps up with 0 degree angle of bank is 83 miles per hour or 72 knots. The stall speed with the landing gear extended and the flaps down is 73 miles per hours or 63 knots.

Gold Diggers

The airplane was loaded to within a few hundred pounds of its maximum gross takeoff weight, and departed from an airport located in a valley, surrounded by rising terrain. Although visual conditions prevailed at the accident airport, fog was present in the adjacent valleys. During the initial climb after takeoff, the right engine lost partial power due to a failure of the number one cylinder exhaust valve. The pilot secured the right engine; however, he was unable to maintain a climb with only the left engine producing power. The airplane was manufactured in 1964. Review of weight and performance data published at the time of manufacture, revealed that the airplane should have been able to climb about 400 feet-per-minute with a single engine producing power. No current weight and balance data was recovered, and due to impact and fire damage, the preimpact power output of the left engine could not be determined. Both engines were last overhauled slightly more than 12 years prior to the accident, and flown about 310 hours during that time. For the make and model engine, the manufacturer recommended overhaul at 1,200 hours of operation, or during the twelfth year.

Texas Avstar

The pilot attempted to take off from a private grass airstrip (2,400 feet long) located at 22678 Purple Hill Road, about 13,5 km north of London Airport, Ontario. The aircraft failed to get airborne and eventually came to rest in a cornfield. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and both occupants were injured. A witness observed smoke coming from the aircraft's wheels and the pilot suspected that the parking brake was not fully disengaged.

Bryant Monturiol

After takeoff, the flight climbed to 1500 feet and the pilot reduced the engine RPM to 3000. The pilot also reported that within seconds of reducing the engine RPM the left engine sputtered. The pilot turned on the fuel boost pump in an effort to restore full engine power. Immediately afterward, the right engine sputtered and lost power. The pilot turned on the right engine boost pump again in an effort to restore full power. Attempts by the pilot to restore normal engine operation failed. The pilot selected an area for an emergency landing. The pilot recalled that as he prepared for an emergency landing, the airplane would yaw right and left as the engines momentarily gain and lose power. The airplane collided with tops of several trees. The airplanes subsequently collided with a single family home adjacent to the lake. Examination of the airframe and engine assemblies failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or a component failure. During the examination of the fuel system, approximately 2 1/2 pints of fuel were recovered. The pilot reported that he thought he had about 50 gallons of fuel when he departed.

Elmer C. Rigby

The aircraft was VFR inbound to the Hailey airport when the pilot contacted the tower at 1247 and reported 10 miles south. During the next 7 minutes the pilot and controller communicated back and forth and the pilot never visually acquired the airport. A number of witnesses located north of the airport observed the aircraft flying northbound along the highway into upsloping, mountainous terrain at an estimated altitude of 400 feet above ground, and with the landing gear extended and the engines developing power. The aircraft was described as low and slow and was observed to dip its wings during a left turn and then descend steeply to the ground. The aircraft impacted terrain in a steep nose down attitude. There was no evidence of flight control or powerplant malfunctions. High density altitude conditions existed at the accident site. Toxicological examination revealed a finding of 0.068 ug/ml and 0.183 ug/ml of Chlorpheniramine (an over-the-counter antihistamine) in kidney and heart tissue respectively.

Elizabeth M. Brand

The non-certificated pilot took a multiengine airplane without the owner's permission and attempted to fly around the traffic pattern. On base leg to final, the airplane was observed to stall, enter a nose down descent, and crash. The non-certificated pilot was apparently unaware that the static system ports had been taped over for avionics work.

Caudle Hay Sales

The private pilot with about 3,000 hours of reported flight time and no instrument rating departed his home base, Thermal, California, for a short cross-country flight to Las Vegas, Nevada. There was no record of a preflight weather briefing, and no flight plan was filed. When the pilot failed to arrive at his destination, a search was initiated. The wreckage was located 6 days after it departed Thermal with the help of radar data. According to the radar data, the airplane was at 16,100 feet when it started a series of maneuvers while descending. Postcrash examination of the wreckage revealed that the left wing outer panel, aileron, and left engine were located some distance from the main wreckage. The weather at the time of the accident was reported as marginal VFR with thunderstorm cell activity in the area. The airplane did not have a working oxygen system nor was it equipped for instrument flight nor icing conditions.

McLaughlin Construction Company

During a cross country business flight, which was filed and flown under instrument flight rules, the pilot and controller had numerous communications regarding routing and weather, and the aircraft was circumnavigating weather areas. The pilot reported entering what his stormscope showed as a 'clear' area after encountering rain and moderate turbulence at temperatures conducive to structural icing. The controller noted a 1,000 foot loss of altitude from the assigned cruise altitude of 17,000 feet, followed by a loss of altitude readout. Shortly thereafter the aircraft disappeared from the controller's radar scope. The wreckage was found near the last radar fix. The airplane impacted in a near vertical descent. All four occupants were killed.

Carlos A. Pascolain

Crashed on final approach to Porto Velho Airport for unknown reasons. All five occupants were killed. It is believed all occupants were intoxicated at the time of the accident.

PacificAir - Pacific Airways

The twin engine aircraft departed Manila Intl Airport at 0800LT on a charter flight to Clark AFB, carrying four passengers and two pilots. On approach to Clark AFB, the crew encountered limited visibility due to rain showers. On short final, the aircraft struck an electrical pole and a tree then crashed short of runway threshold. Five occupants were injured while the copilot was killed.

Jess Lee Terry

The non-instrument rated pilot took off in overcast weather conditions and flew toward a mountain pass that was obscured in clouds. When the flight failed to arrive at the destination, a search was initiated and the wreckage located in a box canyon on the side of a mountain ridgeline. The aircraft had impacted in a vertical nose down attitude. All four occupants were killed.

Allan Jeffries

The aircraft crashed in the water in an isolated area of the Florida Bay while in a near inverted, left wing low, nose down attitude and at a high rate of descent with slow forward speed. The landing gear were down and locked, and the flaps were extended about 10°. Examination of the cargo door revealed evidence to suggest that it was not hinged to the aircraft during impact. The purpose of the flight is still under investigation by other gov't agencies. The passenger was seriously injured and the pilot was killed.

Alfred Wonesh

Aero Commander 560E, N3827C (27C) was returning from Blairstown where it had been flown for minor maintenance. The pilot was on an IFR flight plan, cleared by New York tracon to proceed at 2,000 feet msl on a radar vector of 170° for an ILS approach to the Teterboro Airport. The aircraft was equipped with an altitude encoding transponder that was being used. The pilot was advised of numerous targets at his 12 o'clock position. At approximately the same time, Cessna 182Q, N96402 (402), was on a flight from the Kupper Airport to Ramapo Airport. A direct route between these airports would have intersected the nw edge of the New York TCA where positive control began between 1,800 and 7,000 feet msl. The pilot was proceeding VFR with no flight plan and was not in radio communication with any ATC facility. 402 was equipped with a transponder that was operating, but had no altitude encoding capability. As the aircraft converged, 402 was on a northeasterly heading. The planes collided about 1 mile inside the TCA. Then impacted the ground approximately 1,500 feet apart. A map was found in 402 with a line drawn between the airports and intersecting the TCA. All three occupants in both aircraft were killed.

Kestutis Petrauskas

After takeoff from Walketon, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Private American

The aircraft departed Homestead, Florida, on a test flight. While flying over the Gulf of Mexico, the pilot reported severe electrical storm. He became lost and disoriented so he decided to ditch the airplane about 375 miles southeast of Brownsville, Texas. The aircraft sank and was lost while both occupants were rescued.

Lapeyrouse Grain Corporation

While cruising by night in marginal weather conditions, the crew lost control of the airplane after suffering a spatial disorientation. The twin engine airplane entered an uncontrolled descent then suffered an airframe failure and eventually crashed in an open field near Dell City. Both occupants were killed.

Private American

After takeoff from Naples, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, escaped and was not recovered. The aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Aviones de Panama

Parked at Paitilla Airport, Panama, the aircraft was stolen by two pilots who wanted to transfer a load of ammunition to Nicaragua. En route, the crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing for unknown reasons. The aircraft crash landed near San Miguel and was damaged beyond repair in the accident. Both occupants were not recovered.

Private American

Upon takeoff at Magdalena Airport, the twin engine airplane struck a fence and crashed in flames. A pilot was killed while three other occupants were injured, two seriously.

Private American

The pilot, sole on board, was taking part to a local air show when, flying at low height, the airplane banked right and crashed following the failure of the right engine. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Private American

While approaching Tinker AFB by night, the crew encountered low visibility due to foggy conditions and initiated a go-around maneuver. The crew attempted four other approaches that were abandoned due to poor visibility. During the fifth approach, the crew declared an emergency due to low fuel then the airplane stalled and crashed. A pilot was killed while the second occupant was seriously injured.

William Kelly

En route from Sebring to Miami, smoke spread in the cabin and the pilot decided to reduce his altitude and to attempt an emergency landing. On final, the twin engine airplane collided with rocks, lost its right main gear and crashed. Both occupants were injured.

Christian Demaria

On approach to Bimini Airport by night, the pilot became disoriented and lost control of the airplane that crashed few km from the airfield. All six occupants were killed. The aircraft was under suspicion of narcotics contraband.

Sanford Schwartz

The airplane crashed under unknown circumstances near Holopaw and collided with fence. The pilot, apparently sole on board, was not found.

Phoenix Aviation - USA

On final approach to Nassau Airport, while on a flight from Florida, the twin engine airplane lost height and crashed in flames in the Nassau harbor. The aircraft was destroyed as well as several boats. All five occupants were killed. There were no other injuries.

Private Venezuelan

After touchdown on runway 10, the twin engine airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and came to rest in water. There were no casualties.

Charles E. Daniels

While flying in marginal weather conditions (low ceiling, snow and icing conditions), both engines lost power. The pilot elected to divert to the nearest airport but the airplane lost height and eventually collided with terrain. The wreckage was found a day later. A passenger was seriously injured while six other occupants were killed.

International Air Freight

On approach to Moss Town, one of the engine failed. The airplane lost height and crashed in flames short of runway. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Stryker Corporation

On approach to Cody Airport, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in flames on a mountain located few miles from the airfield. The wreckage was found a day later and all four occupants have been killed.

Private American

While in normal cruise, both engines stopped. The pilot reduced his altitude and completed a belly landing in an open field located near Henderson. Two passengers were seriously injured while four other occupants were slightly injured. The aircraft was written off.

Beau Morgan

En route from Barranquilla to Miami, the pilote informed ATC about an engine failure and elected to make an emergency landing when the airplane crashed into the sea off Saint Ann's Bay. Both occupants were killed.

Silvio J. Adamo

The approach to Reading Airport was initiated in marginal weather conditions with fog and low clouds. On final, the airplane struck the ground and crashed 3,6 miles south of Reading LOM while cleared for an ILS approach to runway 36. The pilot was killed while both passengers were seriously injured.

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources

En route from Berckley Springs to Charleston, while in normal cruise, both engines failed. The crew elected to make an emergency landing when control was lost. The airplane crashed and was destroyed upon impact, killing both occupants.

A. S. Wikstrom

Just after liftoff at Skaneateles Airstrip, the twin engine airplane touched the runway and drifted to the left, causing the left main gear to struck a snowbank. The takeoff was continued when the airplane went out of control and rolled inverted. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

T. A. Maag

On final approach to Moline-Quad City Airport, while on a flight from Hutchinson to Atlanta, both engines lost power. The airplane lost speed, stalled and crashed short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

V.J. Corporation

En route from Milford (Utah) to Grand Junction, Colorado, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to clouds, snow falls and icing conditions. In cruising altitude, he lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed in mountainous terrain located near Bicknell. The wreckage was found nine days later on November 11. Both occupants have been killed.

Jim Lewis

Few minutes after takeoff from Kerrville Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, rain falls and fog. While cruising in clouds, the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation and lost control of the airplane that entered a dive. During the descent, the left wing detached and the airplane crashed in an open field. The airplane was destroyed upon impact and both occupants were killed.

Fort Wainwright Air

The twin engine airplane was completing a flight from Fairbanks to Nome with intermediate stops in Gulkana and Galena. On approach to Galena, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, fog and snow falls reducing the visibility to 1,000 feet. On final under VFR mode, he was unable to locate the runway when he realized he was facing the tower. He initiated a turn to avoid collision when he lost control of the airplane that crashed near the runway. All five passengers were seriously injured while the pilot was killed.

Private American

The crew was completing a local training flight out from Killeen Airport. While cruising at a relative low altitude, the right engine failed. The pilot-in-command elected to make an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in an open field located in Belton. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all three occupants escaped uninjured.

David M. Hume

Four minutes after takeoff from Van Nuys Airport, while climbing in marginal weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in Granada Hills, north of Van Nuys. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Bernard L. Morgan

While in cruising altitude on a flight from Tulsa to Jacksonville, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot informed ATC about the situation and he reduced his altitude to attempt an emergency landing. The twin engine airplane struck trees then crashed near Midway. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

KBC Inc.

On final approach to Tupelo Airport, the pilot was unable to locate the runway due to limited visibility. Circling the field following a straight-in approach, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed on the field. The passenger was injured while the pilot was killed.

Rousseau Aviation

Crashed in unknown circumstances. Occupant's fate unknown.

Private American

Shortly after liftoff from Greenwood-Leflore Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Garden State Airlines

While in cruising altitude on a flight from Chatham to Newark, the captain informed ATC about the failure of the left engine and was cleared to divert to the nearest airport located in East Greenwich, east Rhode Island. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, the crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field. A passenger was killed while five other occupants were injured.

José Molina Portes

Shortly after takeoff from Santo Domingo-Las Américas Airport, while climbing, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed in a field. A passenger was seriously injured while three other occupants were killed. Crew: José Molina Portes. † Passengers: Rafael Vidal Ramírez, † Germán Gómez, † Hipólito Hernández.

C%26C Aviation

While on a night approach to Jackson-Allen C. Thompson Airport in good weather conditions, both engines lost power and failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed few miles from the airfield. The pilot and four passengers were killed while a fifth passenger was seriously injured.

Village Airways

En route from Chicago to International Falls, while in cruising altitude, the crew encountered poor weather with icing conditions. The pilot-in-command was cleared to divert to the nearest airport and started to descend. On approach to Hibbing-Chisholm Airport, the crew did not land but initiated a go-around. After passing over the runway end, control was lost and the airplane crashed in a field. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were seriously injured.

World West Aviation

While on approach to Helendale Airport, the twin engine aircraft speed was too low. The left wing dropped and the airplane dove into the ground and crashed in flames. Both occupants were killed. They were completing an electrical chute device drop test from Van Nuys Airport.

Dayton Steel %26 Metal

En route, the pilot informed ATC about an engine failure and elected to divert to the nearest airport. While flying at low height, the airplane struck power cables and tree tops before crashing onto the ground. The wreckage was found in an isolated area three days later. The airplane was destroyed and both occupants were killed.