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Accident: Mcdonnell Douglas MD80

Mar 8, 2017 · Ypsilanti, MI

NTSB numberDCA17FA076Event id20170308X73155

0
Fatalities
0
Serious injuries
1
Minor injuries
115
Uninjured

Probable cause

the jammed condition of the airplane's right elevator, which resulted from exposure to localized, dynamic wind while the airplane was parked and rendered the airplane unable to rotate during takeoff. Contributing to the accident were (1) the effect of a large structure on the gusting surface wind at the airplane's parked location, which led to turbulent gust loads on the right elevator sufficient to jam it, even though the horizontal surface wind speed was below the certification design limit and maintenance inspection criteria for the airplane, and (2) the lack of a means to enable the flight crew to detect a jammed elevator during preflight checks for the Boeing MD-83 airplane. Contributing to the survivability of the accident was the captain's timely and appropriate decision to reject the takeoff, the check airman's disciplined adherence to standard operating procedures after the captain called for the rejected takeoff, and the dimensionally compliant runway safety area where the overrun occurred.

NTSB docket DCA17FA076

Source: National Transportation Safety Board. Record last changed Oct 28, 2026, 10:54 UTC.

Aircraft involved

Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas MD80
Registration
N786TW
Year built
1992
Category
Airplane
Damage
Substantial
Operating rules
Part 121: air carrier
Defining event
Takeoff-rejected takeoff Flight control sys malf/fail

Source: National Transportation Safety Board aviation accident database. Counts only; Voydar holds no names.

Nearest airports

Airports with a Voydar profile closest to the recorded position. Proximity only.

  • Willow Run Airport (YIP)1 nm (1 km) south-east
  • Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)9 nm (16 km) east
  • Ann Arbor Municipal Airport (ARB)9 nm (17 km) west

This page restates the NTSB's public record. Injury figures are counts; Voydar does not hold or publish the names of anyone involved.