Investigation Summary
The flight crew, consisting of Captain John Maus and First Officer David Dodds, was operating the second leg of their trip from Saginaw to Phoenix via Detroit. During the taxi at Detroit, the crew faced several distractions, including a last-minute runway change from 21L/R to 3C due to shifting winds and difficulty navigating the taxiway layout in deteriorating weather conditions. These distractions contributed to the crew completely omitting the taxi checklist, which included the critical step of setting the flaps and slats to the 11-degree takeoff position. As the aircraft accelerated down Runway 3C, the lack of wing lift-enhancing devices meant the MD-82 required a much higher speed and longer roll to become airborne. Upon rotation, the aircraft entered a deep stall. The left wing struck a light pole, shearing off a section of the wing and causing a total loss of control. The aircraft struck another pole and a rental car building before disintegrating on a nearby roadway and railroad embankment.
Final Conclusions
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined the probable cause was the flight crew's failure to use the taxi checklist to ensure the flaps and slats were extended for takeoff. A major contributing factor was the absence of electrical power to the airplane's takeoff warning system (TOWS), which prevented an aural alert from sounding when the throttles were advanced. While the NTSB could not definitively determine why the P-40 circuit breaker interrupted power to the Central Aural Warning System (CAWS), investigators noted that MD-80 pilots often intentionally pulled the breaker to silence nuisance warnings during taxi, though impact damage prevented confirmation of whether this specific breaker was pulled, tripped, or mechanically faulty.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
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Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
John R. Maus, aged 57, from Las Vegas, Nevada. Had 31 years of service with the airline.
First Officer
David J. Dodds, aged 35, from Galena, Illinois. Had over 8 years of service with the airline.
Systems & Failure Modes
Takeoff Warning System (TOWS)
A safety system designed to provide an aural alert if the throttles are advanced for takeoff while the aircraft is in an unsafe configuration, such as retracted flaps or slats.
Central Aural Warning System (CAWS)
The unit responsible for generating various voice and tone warnings in the cockpit, including stall and takeoff configuration alerts.
P-40 Circuit Breaker
The specific circuit breaker that provided 28V DC power to the CAWS; it was found to be the point of power interruption during the accident flight.
Interesting Facts
- 01The accident resulted in 156 total fatalities: 154 occupants (148 passengers and 6 crew) and 2 people on the ground.
- 02Four-year-old Cecilia Cichan was the only survivor among the 155 people on the aircraft.
- 03The aircraft was configured with flaps and slats at 0 degrees (retracted) during the takeoff attempt.
- 04The Takeoff Warning System (TOWS) failed to activate because the P-40 circuit breaker was not providing power to the CAWS unit.
- 05NTSB simulations showed that if the crew had maintained an 11-degree angle of attack (AOA), the aircraft would have cleared the light pole by 80 feet even with retracted flaps.
- 06The aircraft (MSN 48090/1040) was manufactured in 1981 and had accumulated 14,928 flight hours.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Checklist Discipline and CRM
The NTSB emphasized the need for strict adherence to sterile cockpit rules and checklist discipline, particularly during taxi phases involving runway changes or weather delays.
TOWS Power Monitoring
Recommendations were made to ensure that critical warning systems like the TOWS have better power monitoring or fail-safe indications so crews are aware if the system is inoperative.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
P-40 Circuit Breaker Condition
Reference ↗Investigators could not determine if the P-40 circuit breaker was intentionally pulled by the crew, tripped due to a surge, or suffered a mechanical failure, as the component was too badly damaged in the crash.
Location
ACCIDENT SITE · Coordinates taken from the official investigation report.