# NTSB CHI83AA326: Aero Commander 685, N3711T, Cleveland, OH, July 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1983, 15:22 local (19:22 UTC)
- Place: Cleveland, OH
- Coordinates: 41.430027, -81.820945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4300&lon=-81.8209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11968
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83AA326
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11968/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83AA326

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - exhaust system,manifold/pipe - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - aircraft handling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE TURNING FROM DOWNWIND TO BASE LEG, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED DESCENDING RAPIDLY IN A STEEP BANK. WITNESSES REPORTED SMOKE WAS TRAILING FROM THE ACFT. THE ACFT CRASHED IN AN INDUSTRIAL AREA. AN EXAM OF THE RIGHT ENG REVEALED THAT THE EXHAUST-TO-TURBO ADAPTER, PN 641829, HAD FRACTURED & SEPARATED. THE FRACTURE WAS A RESULT OF THERMAL FATIGUE & IT HAD PROPAGATED ACROSS MORE THAN 95% OF THE AREA BEFORE FINAL SEPARATION HAD OCCURRED. SINCE AN EXAM OF THE COWLING & 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 ENG, NO OTHER ACFT MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3711T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 685
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 1509
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-K-1 435 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Technical Computer Services
- Registered owner: Campbell Ray Clark III
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1983
- Departed: CAK, AKRON, OH
- Airport: Cleveland Hopkins, runway 23L, 9,000 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,000 total, 27 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLE, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830720033879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830720033879A), Jul 20, 1983: Gulstm 685, Cleveland, OH, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Aircraft entered a steep descending left turn which continued into the ground while turning base leg for landing.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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