Embraer EMB-135LR accident near Cleveland, Ohio, April 13, 2001
On April 13, 2001 at about 2:10 am local time, a Embraer EMB-135LR, registered N735TS, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cleveland, Ohio (Cleveland-Hopkins Intl airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An overload force being exerted on the nosewheel gear assembly for undetermined reason.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 13, 2001 · about 2:10 am local time
- Place
- Cleveland, Ohio · Cleveland-Hopkins Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Embraer EMB-135LR · all EMB-135LRs on the register
- Registration
- N735TS · no longer on the register · serial 145386
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
With the engines secured, a tug was connected to the nose wheel of the airplane in preparation for pushback. The flight crew completed the checklist to include selecting the parking brake to off. The crew then advised the tug operator that they were cleared to push. The tug operator released the parking brake for the tug, placed the shifter into "low," and slowly pressed on the accelerator. The crew felt the airplane move about a foot, and then the nose-gear collapsed. When the flight crew exited the airplane, they observed wheel chocks behind the left main gear. Ground personnel stated that the chocks were placed there after the accident. At the time of the accident the airplane weighted 34,570 pounds. The tug weighted 60,000 pound, had 40,000 pounds of pulling traction, and was capable of pushing-back a Douglas DC-10. Examination of the nose gear assembly revealed no evidence consistent with a fatigue failure.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 12,924 hours in all; 730 in this make and model; 98 in the last 90 days; 50 in the last 30 days; 10,654 as pilot in command; 812 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 13, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,718 hours in all; 764 in this make and model; 196 in the last 90 days; 55 in the last 30 days; 1,283 as pilot in command; 1,123 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 29, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Crew member
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 319.7 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme; 319.7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 44,092 lb
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Rolls-Royce AE-3007A13 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Rolls-Royce AE-3007A13 (turbofan); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CLE Cleveland OH
- Destination: ORF Norfolk VA
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 270° at 22 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 1:51 am from CLE
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.