But the flight data recorder, one of the so-called black boxes that records aircraft characteristics, indicated the spoilers never extended upon landing. Without the spoilers, the heavy jet would have been forced to depended entirely on its brakes as it sped down the rain-slicked runway. Everything is a possible cause. Feith said that the MD-82's computers are located beneath the cockpit, which was crumpled in the crash. Once the aircraft is lifted and moved, investigators will be able to remove the computers and examine their data, including whether the brakes, thrust reversers, and spoilers were working.
Workers look over the crash site before relocating the wreckage to a hangar.
The crash resulted in the first domestic commercial airline deaths since 1997. Memorial services were held Saturday in suburban Chicago for the pilot, who was an instructor for the airline.