Initial report shows winds were at 27 MPH
DENVER (AP) -- Winds were gusting at Denver International Airport when a plane veered off the runway during takeoff and caught fire, injuring 37 people on Dec. 20.
An initial report by the National Transportation Safety Board says winds were at about 27 mph with gusts to nearly 37 mph. The Denver Post reports that the wind speed would trigger limitations set by the airline for 737-500 aircraft taking off under crosswind conditions on a dry runway.
Houston-bound Continental Flight 1404 had 110 passengers and five crew members aboard when it veered off a runway during takeoff.
The plane traveled about 2,000 feet over fields, an airport taxiway and a raised service road before coming to rest near a DIA fire station.
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