Mcdonnell Douglas MD80 accident near Ypsilanti, Michigan, March 8, 2017
On March 8, 2017 at about 7:55 pm local time, a 1992 Mcdonnell Douglas MD80, registered N786TW, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near Ypsilanti, Michigan (Willow Run International Airpo airport). It was flown under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). 1 person had minor injuries; 115 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 8, 2017 · about 7:55 pm local time
- Place
- Ypsilanti, Michigan · Willow Run International Airpo · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 115 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mcdonnell Douglas MD80 80, built 1992
- Registration
- N786TW · no longer on the register · serial 53123
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The Safety Board's full report is available at http://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Pages/aviation.aspx. The Aircraft Accident Report number is NTSB/AAR-19/01. On March 8, 2017, about 1452 eastern standard time, Ameristar Air Cargo, Inc., dba Ameristar Charters, flight 9363, a Boeing MD-83 airplane, N786TW, overran the departure end of runway 23L at Willow Run Airport, Ypsilanti, Michigan, after the captain executed a rejected takeoff. The 110 passengers and 6 flight crewmembers (two airline transport pilots and four flight attendants) evacuated the airplane via emergency escape slides. One passenger received a minor injury, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 as an on-demand charter flight and was destined for Washington Dulles International Airport, Dulles, Virginia. Visual flight rules conditions prevailed at YIP at the time of the accident.
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
What happened, in order
- Flight control sys malf/fail during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › Elevator control system › Damaged/degraded
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › High wind › Effect on equipment
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Residence/building › Effect on equipment
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Equipment/furnishings › Escape slide › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Environmental issues › Operating environment › Meteorological services › (general) › Accuracy of related info
Pilot (unmanned)
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,660 hours in all; 683 in this make and model; 50.4 in the last 90 days; 19.1 in the last 30 days; 7,240 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 31, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 15,518 hours in all; 4,596 in this make and model; 68 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 4,752 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 4, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 41,008.6 hours
- Last inspection: type not recorded, December 30, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 161,000 lb
- Seats: 155
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Pratt And Whitney JT8D-219 (turbojet); 63,385 hours total
- Engine 2: Pratt And Whitney JT8D-219 (turbojet); 34,202 hours total
- Operator: Ameristar Air Cargo, Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: KYIP Ypsilanti MI at 7:35 pm
- Destination: KIAD Chantilly VA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 23L, 7,543 ft by 161 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 35 knots, gusting 50
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 12°F (-11°C)
- Observation at 9:53 pm from KYIP
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 4 | |||
| Flight crew | 3 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 108 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
60 documents, released by the NTSB on April 11, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.