Rockwell Shrike Commander 500 crash, Aug 10, 1979 (2 killed)
Rockwell Shrike Commander 500 accident on August 10, 1979 near Melbourne-Essendon Victoria, Australia with 2 fatalities. Cause: Fuel exhaustion over a...
- Date: August 10, 1979
- Aircraft: Rockwell Shrike Commander 500
- Location: Melbourne-Essendon Victoria, Australia
- Fatalities: 2
- Phase of flight: Approach and landing
- Cause: Fuel exhaustion over a built-up area. The ATSB (formerly BASI) investigation cites an overweight departure, inadequate fuel reserves, an erroneous flight plan and an attempted landing on the golf course after passing a suitable aerodrome without diverting. ATSB investigation 197902800.
A Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S (VH-ALH) operated by Norfish Pty Ltd flew from Flinders Island to Essendon, Melbourne, on 10 August 1979. It was seen descending with abnormal engine noise, flew over the Northcote Municipal Golf Course, struck trees beside a fairway and came to rest on a green. Both occupants were killed and the aircraft was destroyed.