Washington, United States (Reuters): The US Federal Aviation Administration claimed on Wednesday that it is investigating a charter flight carrying the University of Michigan men's basketball team that slid off the runway at a suburban Detroit airport, sustaining extensive damage.
According to FAA, the charter flight, an MD-83 passenger jet, was bound for Washington-Dulles International Airport, near the location of the Big Ten men's college basketball tournament.
The school said in a statement that the plane aborted takeoff in high winds at 2:55 pm EST (1955 GMT), and after heavy braking, it slid off the runway. The plane was evacuated safely with no serious injuries, but some suffered bumps and bruises.
Tom Wywrot, a university spokesman, said the plane had 109 passengers and seven crew members aboard. The team is still working to make alternative arrangements early Wednesday evening.
Michigan is scheduled to play Illinois on Thursday afternoon in Washington.
