Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Addison

Date & Time: Jul 27, 1987 at 1101 LT
Registration:
N4164B
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Addison - Addison
MSN:
520-69
YOM:
1953
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1176
Captain / Total hours on type:
206.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1920
Circumstances:
Aircraft was destroyed when it struck power lines and the ground during a single engine go-around. Following a left engine shut down due to severe vibrations, the pilot overflew one airport to return to his home base. En route, he elected not to go to full power due to a 3 minutes limitation he did not want to exceed. The pilot overshot the runway while manually extending the nose gear and elected to attempt a right 270° turn to return to final while at 100-150 feet agl. Nose landing did not extend due to hydraulic pump being on left engine and no pressure. During the turn, the pilot lost control and the aircraft struck the wires. Investigation revealed that one of the blade pitch change links on the left prop had disconnected, allowing one blade to free float. The link pin assembly had backed out as a result of the safety screw backing out due to damaged and stripped threads and an improper length screw being installed. Props had 1/4' safety screws installed instead of 3/8'.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (c) propeller system/accessories, pitch change mech - disconnected
2. Propeller feathering - not possible
3. (c) propeller system/accessories, pitch change mech - stripped thread
4. (c) maintenance, overhaul - inadequate - other maintenance personnel
5. (c) propeller system/accessories, pitch change mech - incorrect
6. (c) maintenance, installation - improper - pilot in command
7. Emergency procedure - improper - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #3: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: go-around (vfr)
Findings
8. (f) go-around - attempted - pilot in command
9. (c) airspeed (vmc) - not maintained - pilot in command
10. (c) diverted attention - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #4: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
11. Object - wire, transmission
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Lucerne Valley

Date & Time: Nov 2, 1986 at 1000 LT
Registration:
N70FM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Corona - Corona
MSN:
520-147
YOM:
1954
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
700
Captain / Total hours on type:
200.00
Circumstances:
During a pleasure flight, the pilot reported that the right engine caught on fire. The pilot made a landing on dry lake bed and disembarked from the plane examination of the wreckage revealed that the path of the landing roll showed no signs of melted metal or debris. There was a large fuel stain visible around the remains of the right wing, right engine and right cowling. The engine components and accessories showed moderate heat distress with no evidence of a blow torch effect. The right wing fuel sump drain valve was located inside a cup of melted aliminum and was in the open position.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: fire
Phase of operation: standing
Findings
1. (f) fuel system, drain - open
2. (c) reason for occurrence undetermined
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Goliad

Date & Time: Aug 24, 1984
Operator:
Registration:
N4183B
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
520-90
YOM:
1953
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was found abandoned. Wreckage scene indicates collision with trees prior to collision with terrain. Aircraft suspected of being used for illegal cargo operations. The pilot was not found.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: unknown
Findings
1. (c) reason for occurrence undetermined
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Clines Corners: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 8, 1983 at 2018 LT
Registration:
N4116B
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Bartlesville - Tucumcari - Ontario
MSN:
520-20
YOM:
1952
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
625
Captain / Total hours on type:
95.00
Circumstances:
The non-instrument rated pilot was on ferry flight from Bartlesville, OK to Ontario, CA. An en route stop was made at Tucumcari, NM, where the aircraft was refueled and 14 qts of oil was added to the left engine. The line boy who serviced the aircraft saw no visible oil leaks or spillage around the engine. While on the next leg of the flight, the aircraft crashed near interstate highway 40. Two witnesses that saw the crash stated rain was falling, the wind was blowing very strong and there were low ceilings. Reportedly, a squall line was moving thru the area and there was moderate to severe turbulence. An exam of the wreckage revealed the aircraft had crashed in a steep nose down attitude, with 20° to 30° left bank and at high speed. No preimpact, mechanical failures were found and both engines had evidence that they were operating during impact. The weather briefer said the pilot indicated he would fly around the area of precipitation and remain VFR. Radar info showed the pilot had been following the interstate highway and varying his alt between 7,900 and 6,300 feet msl. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (f) flight into known adverse weather - initiated - pilot in command
2. (f) light condition - dark night
3. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
4. (f) weather condition - high wind
5. (f) weather condition - rain
6. (c) VFR flight into IMC - continued - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
7. (c) aircraft handling - not maintained - pilot in command
8. (c) spatial disorientation - pilot in command
9. (f) lack of total instrument time - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Clarendon: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 9, 1983
Registration:
N315UT
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
520-6
YOM:
1952
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances killing both occupants.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 near Agoura Hills: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1982 at 1308 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N2622B
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Hawthorne - San Luis Obispo
MSN:
520-134
YOM:
1954
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Aircraft flight hours:
5198
Circumstances:
During departure, the pilot climbed in IFR conditions to 6,000 feet. After leveling, a frequency change was made and he was cleared to 8,000 feet, which he acknowledged. About 2 minutes later, the controller radioed to the pilot that he was about 4 miles north of the airway, but there was no reply from the pilot. Shortly after that radar contact was lost and the plane crashed in mountainous terrain. Several residents in the area reported hearing extremely loud engine noises followed by complete silence. An investigation revealed that both wings had separated outboard of their respective engine nacelle assemblies. An examination of the fractures revealed the wings had separated from positive overload. The leading edges of both wings had ballooned upward, indicative of extreme airspeed. The empennage had separated in a yaw and from right torsional overload. Parts of the aircraft were found within a 1 mile arc, north of the main impact area. The pilot's recent instrument experience could not be verified. All three occupants were killed. Turbulence was forecasted below 8,000 feet.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: climb - to cruise
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - clouds
2. (f) weather condition - turbulence in clouds
3. (c) aircraft handling - not maintained - pilot in command
4. (c) spatial disorientation - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
5. Wing,spar - overload
6. (c) design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded - pilot in command
7. Wing - separation
8. Stabilizer - overload
9. Stabilizer - separation
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Biloxi

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1981 at 1400 LT
Registration:
N2605B
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Pensacola - Baton Rouge
MSN:
520-117
YOM:
1953
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1496
Captain / Total hours on type:
507.00
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a ferry flight from Pensacola to Baton Rouge. While in cruising altitude, he contacted ATC and reported an engine fire. Cleared to descend, he attempted an emergency landing in a field but on touchdown, the airplane crash landed as the landing gear were not fully extended. The pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Wheels-up landing and fire on ground due to inadequate maintenance and inspection. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Powerplant - fuel systems: tanks improperly installed,
- Leak/leakage, fire in wing,
- Suspected mechanical discrepancy,
- Fumes in cabin,
- Fuel leak during first flight after fuel cell repair,
- Engine shutdown, fire after touchdown.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 off Great Inagua: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1980
Operator:
Registration:
N515E
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lantana - Great Inagua Island
MSN:
520-71
YOM:
1953
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off Great Inagua Island. SAR operations were initiated but the wreckage nor both occupants were recovered.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 off New Orleans: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1979 at 1630 LT
Registration:
N4178B
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
South Bimini – Tampico
MSN:
520-85
YOM:
1953
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
664
Captain / Total hours on type:
12.00
Circumstances:
En route from South Bimini to Tampico, Mexico, the airplane suffered a double engine failure. The pilot ditched the aircraft off New Orleans. Seriously injured, he was rescued but apparently died a week later.
Probable cause:
As the airplane was not recovered, it was not possible to establish the cause of the accident. Illegal flight suspected.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 near Cheshire: 7 killed

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1977 at 2008 LT
Operator:
Registration:
C-GHUN
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Portland - Sacramento
MSN:
520-72
YOM:
1953
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
305
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude on a flight from Portland from Sacramento in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine airplane suffered an airframe failure. It entered a dive and crashed in a field located near Cheshire, northwest of Eugene. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all seven occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Airframe failure in flight and uncontrolled descent following improper in-flight decisions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Exceeded designed stress limits of aircraft,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain,
- Airframe ice,
- Improperly loaded aircraft, W&B and CofG,
- Separation in flight,
- Visibility less than two miles,
- Approximately 790 lbs over may gross weight at takeoff,
- Aircraft not equipped with anti-icing/deicing equipment.
Final Report: