Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 685 in Toluca: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 11, 2005 at 2110 LT
Operator:
Registration:
XB-PRS
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Cancún – Toluca
MSN:
685-12050
YOM:
1973
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On February 12, 2005, at 2110 central standard time, a Twin Commander 685 twin-engine airplane, Mexican registration XB-PRS, was destroyed upon impact with the ground following a loss of control during approach near Toluca, State of Mexico, in the Republic of Mexico. The commercial pilot was seriously injured and the two passengers were fatally injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the domestic business flight. The flight originated from Cancun, State of Quintana Roo, Mexico, approximately 1930, with the Toluca International Airport as its intended destination. According to local authorities, the 1973-model airplane, serial number 12050, destroyed one residence and damaged two others when it crashed in a residential area near the airport. There were no injuries to anyone on the ground.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 685 in Monterrey: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 14, 2004 at 1230 LT
Operator:
Registration:
XB-GSG
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Monterrey – McAllen – Houston
MSN:
685-12058
YOM:
1974
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
On December 14, 2004 at 1230 central standard time, an Aero Commander AC-685 twin-engine airplane, Mexican registration XB-GSG, was destroyed upon impact with terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering near Apodaca, State of Nuevo Leon, in the Republic of Mexico. The two commercial pilots and 3 passengers were fatally injured. The airplane, serial number 12058, was registered to a private individual. The flight originated from the Monterrey Del Norte Airport, near Monterrey, State of Nuevo Leon, Mexico, approximately 1225 and was en route to the McAllen-Miller International Airport (MFE), near McAllen, Texas, with Houston, Texas, as its final destination. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the business flight for which an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed. According to local authorities the airplane was attempting to return to the airport when the accident occurred. The wreckage of the airplane was located on the 350-degree radial from the Monterrey VOR (ADN), for 2.3 nautical miles. A post-impact fire destroyed the aircraft. A post-impact fire consumed the aircraft.

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 685 in Eden

Date & Time: Oct 19, 1996 at 1700 LT
Registration:
N58RG
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Eden - Eden
MSN:
685-12047
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
993
Captain / Total hours on type:
5.00
Circumstances:
Prior to takeoff from a private turf airstrip (1400'x 90'), the pilot adjusted the left engine's fuel pump. On takeoff roll the left engine began surging. The pilot continued the takeoff. The pilot lifted off at approximately 1000' and pulled back on the yoke to get over the trees on the left side of the airstrip. The airplane drifted to the left. The pilot said he stalled the airplane and should have pushed the yoke forward to gain airspeed. The Pilot Operating Handbook indicted a takeoff roll of approximately 2,500 feet was needed on a dry paved surface.
Probable cause:
A partial loss of engine power due to improper adjustment of the fuel pump by an unqualified person (pilot-in-command) and the pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in his selection of unsuitable terrain for the attempted takeoff. The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane and the trees were factors.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 685 in Brainerd

Date & Time: Nov 23, 1991 at 2100 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N9196N
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brainerd - Mora
MSN:
685-12019
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2810
Captain / Total hours on type:
425.00
Circumstances:
The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, the right engine lost power. An aborted takeoff was performed, but the pilot was unable to maintain directional control, or stop the airplane before it swerved off the remaining runway. The airplane traveled down a 40 foot embankment then slid into a frozen swamp. Post accident inspection revealed a seized fuel pump rotor shaft and a broken coupling on the right engine's fuel pump.
Probable cause:
An engine failure due to a seized fuel pump rotor shaft.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 685 in the Atlantic Ocean: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 16, 1991
Registration:
ZS-JRF
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Indiana - Recife - Libreville
MSN:
685-12062
YOM:
1974
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew departed Indiana, Pennsylvania, on a flight to South Africa. A fuel stop was completed somewhere in Florida then the crew continued to Brazil. After takeoff from Recife-Guararapes Airport, en route to Libreville, Gabon, the crew informed ATC about his position some 150 km offshore and was cleared to climb to FL150 when radar contact was lost. SAR operations were initiated jointly between Brazilian and South African Authorities who dispatched a Lockheed C-130 Hercules. Following three unsuccessful days of research until the Ascension Island, the crew returned to South Africa. No trace of the aircraft nor both occupants was ever found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the cause of the accident could not be determined.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 685 near Ben Lomond: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1984 at 0825 LT
Operator:
Registration:
VH-MML
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Armidale – Glen Innes
MSN:
685-12054
YOM:
1973
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
During the flight the pilot reported that he would descend to cruise at 500 feet above ground level. Witnesses saw an aircraft at low level on the expected track, and others heard aircraft noise and then the sound of an impact. Weather conditions were overcast with low cloud covering the hills. The wreckage was found at an elevation of about 4,300 feet above mean sea level. The aircraft had apparently struck the ground while in a steep nosedown attitude and rotating to the right. A fire had broken out and engulfed the wreckage. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Investigation did not reveal any defect or malfunction of the aircraft which might have contributed to the development of the accident. Both engines were operating at high power settings and the gear and flaps were up. The aircraft had been operating under the Instrument Flight Rules when the pilot reported his intention to descend. Conditions at the destination were suitable for visual flight, and the reason the pilot elected to proceed at a low height above the ground was not determined. It was likely that while cruising below the cloud, the pilot was suddenly confronted by localised adverse weather conditions in the vicinity of the accident site. The maintenance of control of the aircraft under these conditions should have presented little problem to the pilot, who was suitably qualified to operate in instrument conditions. In these circumstances, the precise sequence of events leading to the evident loss of control of the aircraft could not be established.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 685 in Cleveland: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 20, 1983 at 1522 LT
Registration:
N3711T
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Akron - Cleveland
MSN:
685-12023
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
5000
Captain / Total hours on type:
27.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1509
Circumstances:
While turning from downwind to base leg, the aircraft was observed descending rapidly in a steep bank. Witnesses reported smoke was trailing from the aircraft. The aircraft crashed in an industrial area. An exam of the right engine revealed that the exhaust-to-turbo adapter, pn 641829, had fractured and separated. The fracture was a result of thermal fatigue and it had propagated across more than 95% of the area before final separation had occurred. Since an exam of the cowling and both engines showed no streaking heat or smoke patterns, the reported 'smoke' was attributed to exhaust gas. While there was a loss of power in the right engine, no other aircraft malfunctions were found that would have caused loss of control. All six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power(partial) - mechanical failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: approach - VFR pattern - base turn
Findings
1. (c) exhaust system,manifold/pipe - fatigue
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
Findings
2. (c) aircraft handling - inadequate - pilot in command
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 685 in the Bass Strait: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1983 at 1505 LT
Operator:
Registration:
VH-WJC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hobart - Melbourne
MSN:
685-12005
YOM:
1972
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On 17 July 1983 the pilot of Rockwell (Aero Commander) 685 aircraft VH-WJC submitted a flight plan to the Hobart Briefing Office for a private category flight from Hobart to Moorabbin, tracking via Launceston and Wonthaggi. The plan indicated that the flight would be conducted under the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) at Flight Level 120 (12 000 feet altitude on standard atmospheric pressure of 1013.2 millibars), with two persons on board. The flight plan showed that the aircraft had a fuel endurance of 220 minutes, and carried an Emergency Locator Beacon (ELB) and life jackets. There was no indication that a life raft was carried. The aircraft departed Hobart at 1352 hours and, thereafter, the pilot made the appropriate radio reports to Hobart Tower, Launceston Control and Launceston Tower. The flight apparently progressed normally until 1452 hours when the pilot advised Launceston Control, "Er Whiskey Juliet Charlie we seem to have been in trouble with er fuel here the red er warning light comes on and the gauge is down . . .".At 1454 hours the pilot transmitted a Mayday call, indicating that he was descending from Flight Level 120 on track to Bass (a position reporting point), present position was 85 nautical miles (nm) from Launceston and he would be making a controlled ditching. Launceston Control immediately initiated the Distress phase of the Search and Rescue procedures and advised the Melbourne Operational Control Centre (OCC). Further communications between the aircraft and Launceston Control indicated that the aircraft was continuing descent on track towards Wonthaggi. The last position report from the pilot, at 1500 hours, was 94 nm from Wonthaggi. The last recorded transmission from the aircraft was at 1501 hours when the pilot confirmed that there were two persons on board. There were no indications at any time from the pilot that the fuel supply had been exhausted or that either engine had failed. It was estimated that the aircraft ditched at about 1505 hours, at an approximate position of 81 nm from Wonthaggi on the planned track. No trace of the aircraft nor both occupants was found.
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 685 in Kansas City: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 4, 1981 at 1645 LT
Registration:
N777MM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Kansas City - Rapid City
MSN:
685-12030
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
4640
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Kansas City Airport, while climbing, the airplane suffered an engine failure. The airplane lost height and entered a spin then crashed in a field, bursting into flames. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Stall and subsequent crash after engine structure failed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Lack of lubrication - specifica part, not system,
- Oil starvation,
- The pilot failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Complete engine failure one engine,
- N° 4, 5, 6 main engine bearings, n°1, 2, 6 rod bearings and front prop shaft bearing failed,
- Approximately 400 lbs over max gross weight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 685 in Wrens: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1981 at 1211 LT
Registration:
N8007H
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ocala – Stuart – Beech Mountain
MSN:
685-12048
YOM:
1973
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
12000
Captain / Total hours on type:
330.00
Circumstances:
En route from Stuart to Beech Mountain, North Carolina, while in cruising altitude, the twin engine airplane went out of control. It entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed near Wrens, Georgia. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent and subsequent crash due to inadequate maintenance and supervision. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Powerplant - exhaust system: stacks, poor weld,
- Air condition, heating and pressurization system: loose, part/fitting, leak/leakage,
- PIlot incapacitation due to hypoxia,
- The aircraft did not flew ATC direction,
- Pilot blood concentration level 32%,
- Exhaust riser failed,
- Bleed-air elbow loose.
Final Report: