AAIB investigation to Rockwell Commander 114B, 2-ROAM

Possible loss of control in IMC during VFR flight, at sea 2.5 nautical miles west of Blackpool, 3 December 2015.

• From: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
• Published: 14 July 2016

• Category: General aviation - fixed wing
• Report type: Bulletin - Field investigation
• Date of occurrence: 3 December 2015
• Aircraft type: Rockwell Commander 114B
• Location: On approach to Blackpool Airport
• Registration: 2-ROAM

Summary:

The aircraft was on a VFR flight from Ronaldsway to Blackpool. A bank of low cloud was moving out to sea, and analysis of the radar track found that, coincident with encountering this cloud, the aircraft descended and its speed reduced until it disappeared from radar. Intensive SAR efforts did not locate the aircraft or pilot.

The available evidence suggests that the aircraft may have stalled at a height from which recovery was not possible.

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Rockwell Commander 114B, 2-ROAM 07-16

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Glossary of abbreviations

Published 14 July 2016