Rockwell Shrike Commander 500 crash, Jul 31, 2007 (2 killed)
Rockwell Shrike Commander 500 accident on July 31, 2007 near Clonbinane, Victoria, Australia with 2 fatalities. Cause: In-flight structural overload of...
- Date: July 31, 2007
- Aircraft: Rockwell Shrike Commander 500
- Location: Clonbinane, Victoria, Australia
- Fatalities: 2
- Phase of flight: En route
- Cause: In-flight structural overload of the wings and tail, probably from a severe downward gust or an elevator input in turbulence near the ranges, possibly with the aircraft flown above manoeuvring speed. No pre-existing structural defect was found.
A Shrike Commander 500S on a night IFR business flight from Essendon to Shepparton lost radar and radio contact in the cruise over the ranges north of Melbourne. The ATSB found that the wings and tail had failed in flight under gross overstress, and the aircraft descended nearly vertically through timber near Clonbinane. The pilot and passenger both died.