Michigan Basketball Team Plane Slides Off Runway During Takeoff [PHOTOS]
By: Will Burchfield
@burchie_kid
Call this a bumpy start to the Big Ten tournament for the Michigan basketball team.
The team plane, en route to Washington D.C. on Wednesday afternoon from Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, was forced to abort its takeoff due to high winds and then slid off the runway, "sustaining extensive damage," according to Michigan Basketball on Twitter. Per the team, "everyone on board was safely evacuated."
The FAA is investigating.
Our team and everyone in our travel party is safe. Update on today's travel accident.
— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) March 8, 2017
Thanks for your well wishes! #GoBlue 〽 pic.twitter.com/CJfrr5ONEJ
According to the FFA, "The (MD-83) went through a fence and there is nose gear damage to the plane."
Coach John Beilien told MLive.com that "no one was seriously injured....but a few people are banged up." Per MLive, the plane was also carrying band members, cheerleaders and (family members) of the coaching staff.
Check this out, Aerial view of Willow Run Airport and a visual of where the plane stopped. Trees and a ravine directly in front of us. pic.twitter.com/DB4CjgxMb5
— Jon Sanderson (@CampSanderson) March 9, 2017
Matt Shepard, Michigan's play-by-play man for WWJ 950, posted the following photo after the accident.
Scary attempt to get to DC but everyone is alright pic.twitter.com/gC4nJBxUDw
— Matt Shepard (@ShepMatt) March 8, 2017
Another photo shows just how far the plane slid off the runway.
Michigan's basketball team plane involved in an accident. Everyone is okay, no injuries.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) March 8, 2017
Viewer emailed us this photo from airport. pic.twitter.com/cT6ExEyp4Q
Here's more:
That was crazy,glad everyone is ok! Coach B's leadership was great, he helped everyone off the plane as they slid down the emergency slide. pic.twitter.com/sDWz6DWEoE
— Jon Sanderson (@CampSanderson) March 8, 2017
After the evacuation, one of the team managers shared a video of the scene, with the caption, "Plane didn't make it up."
Scariest moment of my life but we're all good. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/3GGd2Rw5no
— Tyler Davis (@tylerjdavis2) March 8, 2017
No. 8 Michigan is scheduled to play No. 9 Illinois on Thursday at noon.
Late Wednesday night Michigan Basketball tweeted out the travel schedule.
Here is a travel update for #GoBlue
— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) March 9, 2017
We can't wait to get to D.C. on Thursday and compete for Michigan! 〽 pic.twitter.com/HqZYiEoM7b