The National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report of an MD-83 overrun accident a few weeks ago in Ypsilanti, Michigan, uncovered a mechanical problem with the right elevator of the charter airliner, although investigators say it is too early to conclusively point to the elevator as the cause of the accident.
Broken Elevator Eyed in Detroit Overrun Accident
Key Takeaways:
- An Ameristar MD-83 carrying the Michigan basketball team overran the runway in Ypsilanti, Michigan, during a rejected takeoff, with all 116 occupants evacuating safely and only one minor injury.
- The NTSB's preliminary report identified a mechanical problem with the right elevator, which was found jammed in an airplane nose-down position due to damaged pushrod linkage, preventing its movement.
- Flight data showed that during the takeoff roll, the left elevator attempted a nose-up rotation, but the right elevator remained static, resulting in no change to the aircraft's pitch attitude before the takeoff was rejected at 173 knots.
- Investigators state it is too early to conclusively determine the elevator malfunction as the cause of the accident, despite the discovery.
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