Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S in Hammondsport: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 11, 1978 at 1925 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Shrike Commander 500
Operator:
Mercury Aircraft
Registration:
N40MA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Raleigh - Hammondsport
MSN:
500-3234
YOM:
1975
Location:
Hammondsport
New York
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
6300
Circumstances:
While on approach to Hammondsport-Taylor-Van Gelder Airstrip in excellent weather conditions, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck a mountain and crashed few miles from Hammondsport. Two passengers were rescued while three other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Stall on final approach after the pilot misjudged distance and altitude and failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Obstructions to vision,
- Sunglare,
- Haze,
- Aircraft was approaching toward rising terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500U in Santa Rosa de Calamuchita: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 2, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Shrike Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
T-138
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
500-1757-46
YOM:
1968
Location:
Santa Rosa de Calamuchita
Córdoba
Country:
Argentina
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances, killing all four occupants.
Crew:
Cpt García, pilot,
S/O Valdivieso, mechanic.
Passengers:
S/O Domingo Oscar Alcaraz,
Mr. Elio Milone.

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S in Nueve de Julio: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 25, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Shrike Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
T-140
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
500-1759-48
YOM:
1968
Location:
Nueve de Julio
Corrientes
Country:
Argentina
Region:
South America
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 Shrike Commander 500S in Conceição do Araguaia: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Shrike Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
PT-BVZ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Conceição do Araguaia
Pará
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances while approaching Conceição do Araguaia Airport, killing both crew members.

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S at Selfridge AFB

Date & Time: Mar 12, 1977 at 2015 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Shrike Commander 500
Operator:
Tech International Engineering
Registration:
N303E
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Allentown - Selfridge
MSN:
500-3092
YOM:
1971
Location:
Selfridge ANGB (Mt Clemens)
Michigan
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2600
Captain / Total hours on type:
50.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Selfridge AFB, the pilot reported low fuel pressure when the left engine failed shortly later. In relative poor weather conditions with low ceiling, rain and fog, the airplane lost height then struck trees and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on final approach for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper IFR operation,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- Low fuel pressure reported by the pilot on approach.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S into the Atlantic Ocean: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 18, 1976 at 1255 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Shrike Commander 500
Operator:
United Resources
Registration:
N57278
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Lomé - Lomé
MSN:
500-3203
YOM:
1974
Location:
Atlantic Ocean
World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
18549
Captain / Total hours on type:
1524.00
Circumstances:
The crew departed Lomé Airport in the morning on a patrol flight over the gulf of Guinea. En route, both engines' temperature increased and shortly later, they failed quite simultaneously. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted to ditch the aircraft that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean (international waters) about 320 km west of Annobón Island. A pilot was rescued while the second occupant died. The aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following findings were reported:
- Excessive temperature,
- Pilot noted zero oil pressure,
- High temperature.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S near Cobán: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 5, 1975
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Shrike Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
TG-JOT
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Cobán
Alta Verapaz
Country:
Guatemala
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot was returning to his base at Guatemala City after he drop off passengers somewhere in Yucatán, Mexico. The twin engine was flying with a second aircraft from the same operator, a Piper PA-23 Aztec registered TG-HIZ. In unknown circumstances, both aircraft collided in flight and crashed in the region of Cobán, Alta Verapaz. Both aircraft were destroyed and both pilots were killed.

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S near Kelso: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 8, 1975 at 1325 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Shrike Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
N711LZ
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Apple Valley - Amarillo - Oklahoma City
MSN:
500-1846-35
YOM:
1968
Location:
Kelso
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
9000
Captain / Total hours on type:
150.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude between Apple Valley and Amarillo, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and limited visibility. He failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in the region of Kelso. The wreckage was found four days later and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- High obstructions,
- Advised VFR flight not recommended.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S off South Portsmouth: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 21, 1975 at 1508 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Shrike Commander 500
Operator:
Aero Aviation
Registration:
N9179N
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Columbus - Huntington
MSN:
500-3126
YOM:
1972
Location:
South Portsmouth
Kentucky
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2089
Circumstances:
En route from Columbus to Huntington, the pilot informed ATC about an engine failure and attempted to divert to the nearest airport. Control was lost and the airplane crashed in the Ohio River off South Portsmouth, Kentucky. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot's body was not recovered.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reason. The pilot was observed to exit the aircraft and to swim toward shore. He disappeared and his body was never recovered.
Final Report:
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