Aero Commander 500 Shrike

The Aero Commander 500 series, the high-wing light twin with engines above the wing, a cabin you can stand up in at the door and exceptional visibility. The 500 of 1958 had two 250 hp carburetted Lycomings; the 500B (1960-67) Lycomings with three-blade propellers and a higher gross weight; the line continued as the 500S Shrike. Type certificate 6A1.

The variants

MODEL	YEARS	ACTIVE	TAILFAX SCORE	WHAT CHANGED
500	1958–1960	12	—	The original: 250 hp carburetted O-540s
500-B	1960–1967	85	21.3/50	Lycoming engines, three-blade props, higher weight

Family fleet, active

FAA registry

NTSB events / 1,000, 10 yrs

51.5

5 events over 97 active aircraft, pooled across the family

Successor

Rockwell Turbo Commander 690

Data as of: FAA registry Sep 28 · NTSB Oct 2 · scores Sep 30