Accident Overview
On July 2, 2014, about 1930 mountain standard time, a Rockwell International Aero Commander 500S veered off the runway and collided with terrain at Cochise County Airport in Willcox, Arizona. The airplane was being operated by American East Airways Corp., doing business as Houston Air, under a "call when needed" contract with the United States Forest Service for aerial forest firefighting coordination. The flight was conducted as a public-use operation. The airline transport pilot and a crew member were not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage.
Flight and Weather Conditions
The flight had departed from Willcox at approximately 1745 local time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and a company flight plan had been filed. As the pilot approached the airport vicinity, he reported that low-light conditions at dusk prevented him from seeing any wind indicators. He contacted a fixed base operator (FBO) at the airport, who advised that the wind was light and variable. However, the pilot noted that the tetrahedron on the field indicated a right quartering tailwind of unknown strength.
Pilot Account
During touchdown, the pilot immediately experienced a right drift, which he attributed to a 15-knot right quartering tailwind. He attempted to correct by applying right throttle. The airplane responded by drifting left. The pilot then retarded the right throttle and added left throttle in an attempt to regain directional control. Despite these inputs, the airplane veered off the runway surface at an estimated ground speed of about 120 miles per hour. The aircraft entered soft sand adjacent to the runway, and the pilot was unable to steer. The left wing then collided with terrain, resulting in substantial damage.
Aircraft Damage
The Rockwell Aero Commander 500S incurred substantial damage to the left wing structure and likely other areas from the collision with terrain and soft ground. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.