Date: November 16, 1976
Type: Douglas DC-9-14
Registration: N9014
Operator: Texas International Airlines, Inc.
Where: Denver, Colorado
Report No. NTSB-AAR-77-10
Report Date: October 27, 1977
Pages: 48

On November 16, 1976, Texas International Flight 987, a McDonnell Douglas 
DC-9-14, crashed after rejecting a takeoff from runway 8 right at 
Stapleton International Airport, Denver, Colorado. The takeoff was 
reected when the stall warning stick-shaker activated after the aircraft 
had rotated for takeoff. When the pilot was unable to stop the aircraft 
within the confines of the runway, it overran the runway, traversed 
drainage ditches, struck approach light stanchions, and stopped.

Eighty-one passengers and five crewmembers evacuated the aircraft, which 
had been damaged severely by impact and fire; 14 persons were inured.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable 
cause of this accident was a malfunction of the stall warning system for 
undetermined reasons which resulted in a false stall warning and an 
unsuccessful attempt to reect the takeoff after the aircraft had 
accelerated beyond refusal and rotation speeds.

The decision to reect the takeoff, although not consistent with standard 
operating procedures and training, was reasonable in this instant case 
based upon the unusual circumstances in which the crew found themselves, 
the minimal time available for decision. and the crew's judgment 
concerning a potentially catastrophic situation.