Investigation Summary
The aircraft had been parked for approximately 10 months prior to the accident flight. During this time, it was exposed to localized, dynamic high winds. The MD-80 series uses a flight control system where the elevators are not directly connected to the cockpit yokes but are moved by aerodynamic tabs. High winds can force the elevators beyond their normal range of travel, causing the internal actuating cranks and links to lock in an 'overcenter' position. The flight was a charter carrying fans to Boston for the 2021 American League Championship Series between the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox. While the NTSB identifies the destination as Hanscom Field (BED), many media reports and flight tracking sites cited Boston-Logan (BOS) as the intended destination. On the day of the accident, the crew performed a standard preflight check but did not visually verify the elevator position from outside the aircraft, a step that had been added to Boeing's recommended procedures after the 2017 Ameristar Charters Flight 9363 accident. During the takeoff roll on Runway 36, the aircraft reached a maximum speed of 158 knots, but the yokes remained heavy and the nose would not lift. The crew initiated a rejected takeoff with approximately 1,200 feet of runway remaining, which was insufficient to stop the aircraft. The MD-87 crashed through a perimeter fence and struck power lines before coming to rest in a field and catching fire.
Final Conclusions
The NTSB released its final report (DCA22MA009) on September 28, 2023. The probable cause was the jammed condition of both elevators resulting from exposure to dynamic high winds while parked. A contributing factor was the failure of Everts Air Cargo, the pilots' primary employer, to maintain awareness of and implement Boeing-issued manual updates and training that required a visual verification that the elevators were not jammed during preflight checks.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
Exposed To The Elements | 2021 Houston MD-87 crash — A detailed look at the 2021 Houston MD-87 crash, where jammed elevators caused by wind gusts led to a runway overrun and fire.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Jeffrey Reed
First Officer
Eli Rohl
Systems & Failure Modes
Elevator Control System
The MD-87 uses control tabs to aerodynamically move the elevators. If the elevators are forced beyond their travel limits by external wind, the internal geared tab input rod links can lock in an overcenter position, jamming the surface.
Flight Data Recorder (FDR)
The FDR successfully recorded the elevator positions, showing they remained in a nose-down configuration throughout the entire taxi and takeoff roll.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was 33 years old and had not flown for 10 months prior to the accident.
- 02All 23 occupants survived, with only two serious injuries reported.
- 03The elevators were found jammed in a position that could not be moved by hand during post-crash examination.
- 04The mechanical failure was nearly identical to the 2017 Ameristar Charters Flight 9363 accident.
- 05The aircraft was destroyed by the post-crash fire, with only the tail section remaining relatively intact.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Manual and Training Updates
Following the accident, Everts Air Cargo updated their manuals and pilot training to include specific procedures for detecting elevator jamming events.
Boeing Service Bulletin Adherence
The investigation highlighted the critical importance of operators monitoring and implementing manufacturer-issued bulletins regarding flight control preflight checks.
Location
ACCIDENT SITE · Coordinates taken from the official investigation report.