Akron - Cleveland
Flight / Schedule
Akron - Cleveland
Aircraft
Rockwell Aero Commander 685Registration
N3711T
MSN
685-12023
Year of Manufacture
1973
Operator
Technical Computer ServicesDate
July 20, 1983 at 03:22 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Executive/Corporate/Business
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Cleveland-Hopkins Ohio
Region
North America • United States of America
Coordinates
41.4252°, -81.8329°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On July 20, 1983 at 03:22 PM, Akron - Cleveland experienced a crash involving Rockwell Aero Commander 685, operated by Technical Computer Services, with the event recorded near Cleveland-Hopkins Ohio.
The flight was categorized as executive/corporate/business and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
6 people were known to be on board, 6 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.
Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 5, passenger fatalities: 5, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. While turning from downwind to base leg, the aircraft was observed descending rapidly in a steep bank. Witnesses reported smoke was trailing from the aircraft. The aircraft crashed in an industrial area. An exam of the right engine revealed that the exhaust-to-turbo adapter, pn 641829, had fractured and separated. The fracture was a result of thermal fatigue and it had propagated across more than 95% of the area before final separation had occurred. Since an exam of the cowling and both engines showed no streaking heat or smoke patterns, the reported 'smoke' was attributed to exhaust gas. While there was a loss of power in the right engine, no other aircraft malfunctions were found that would have caused loss of control. All six occupants were killed.
Aircraft reference details include registration N3711T, MSN 685-12023, year of manufacture 1973.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 41.4252°, -81.8329°.
Fatalities
Total
6
Crew
1
Passengers
5
Other
0
Crash Summary
While turning from downwind to base leg, the aircraft was observed descending rapidly in a steep bank. Witnesses reported smoke was trailing from the aircraft. The aircraft crashed in an industrial area. An exam of the right engine revealed that the exhaust-to-turbo adapter, pn 641829, had fractured and separated. The fracture was a result of thermal fatigue and it had propagated across more than 95% of the area before final separation had occurred. Since an exam of the cowling and both engines showed no streaking heat or smoke patterns, the reported 'smoke' was attributed to exhaust gas. While there was a loss of power in the right engine, no other aircraft malfunctions were found that would have caused loss of control. All six occupants were killed.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
1
Passengers On Board
5
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 6
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Akron - Cleveland
Operator
Technical Computer ServicesFlight Type
Executive/Corporate/Business
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
North America • United States of America
