College

University Of Michigan Men's Basketball Team Safe After Plane Skids Off Runway

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The plane carrying the men's basketball team of the University of Michigan slid off a runway on Wednesday. This came after the takeoff was aborted because of high winds.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the charter MD83 aircraft was expected to leave for Washington Dulles International Airport from Willow Run Airport in Van Buren Township at 2:55 p.m., ABC News reported. The plane skidded off the runway after "strong braking" and proceeded to crash through a perimeter fence, damaging its nose gear.

Tyler Davis, head manager for the University of Michigan men's basketball team, took to Twitter to post a video of the plane. He said that it was the scariest moment of his life but that they were "all good."

The team announced that no one was injured. They have also confirmed that they made alternate travel plans to Washington, D.C. The Michigan Wolverines will be playing against the University of Illinois Fighting Illini on Thursday, 11 a.m., at the Verizon Center to open its Big Ten Tournament.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also tweeted that they have sent investigators to check the aborted takeoff and overran runway. Further details were not made available immediately.

NBC Chicago noted that the plane was carrying seven crew members and 109 passengers. The University of Michigan men's basketball team also announced on Twitter that everyone on their travel party is safe.

MGoBlue.com reported that the UM men's basketball team earned a remarkable 20-point win during their first game of the 2017 Big Ten Tournament, with 75-55. This marks head coach John Beilein's most wins at Michigan, surpassing Johnny Orr.

Energetic play and team defense were said to have helped limit the University of Illinois Fighting Illini's chances in the first 10 minutes of the game. Michigan was able to score nine unanswered points, which resulted to a 20-point lead, 31-11 with seven minutes left in the opening half.

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