What happened
On the day of the incident, a McDonnell Douglas MD-83, registration N7person786TW, was preparing for a chartered flight from Detroit-Willow Run Airport to Washington, DC, carrying the University of Michigan Basketball team. During the takeoff roll on runway 23L, the crew had calculated takeoff speeds based on a weight of 146,600 lbs and a 10-knot headwind. While the standard rotation speed (VR) was calculated at 142 kts, the crew intentionally increased this value to 150 kts to maintain better control during potential windshear.
As the aircraft accelerated, flight data recorded minor control column movements. At approximately 3,000 feet down the runway and at 138 kts, the left elevator adjusted slightly. However, at 4,100 feet and 151 kts, a significant control input was made, causing the left elevator to move to a position near 15° trailing edge up. Despite this input, the aircraft failed to rotate. Consequently, the captain initiated an aborted takeoff at 14:52:08.
Following the application of brakes, the aircraft reached a maximum ground speed of 163 kts. Although spoilers and thrust reversers were deployed, the aircraft could not be halted within the remaining runway length. The plane exited the paved surface at 100 kts, striking approach lights and breaching the perimeter fence before crossing Tyler Road. The aircraft eventually stopped on grassy terrain 345 meters beyond the runway end, with the nose landing gear collapsed and the rear fuselage positioned across a ditch. There were 0 fatalities and 0 injuries reported.
Findings
- The crew utilized a rotation speed higher than the calculated V-speeds to account for windshear conditions.
- The aircraft failed to rotate following a large control column input during the takeoff roll.