McDonnell Douglas DC-9
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| DC-9 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Allegheny Airlines DC-9-30 circa 1970 | |
| Type | Airliner |
| Manufacturer | Douglas Aircraft, McDonnell Douglas |
| Maiden flight | 1965-02-25 |
| Status | Out of Production |
| Primary user | Northwest Airlines (77) |
| Produced | 1965-1982 |
| Number built | 976 |
| Unit cost | US$41.5 to $48.5 million |
| Variants | McDonnell Douglas C-9 McDonnell Douglas MD-80 McDonnell Douglas MD-90 Boeing 717 |
The McDonnell Douglas DC-9 (initially known as the Douglas DC-9) is a twin-engine, single-aisle jet airliner. It was first manufactured in 1965 with its first flight later that year. The DC-9 was designed for the frequent, short flights. The final DC-9 was delivered in October 1982.
The DC-9 was followed in subsequent modified forms by the MD-80, MD-90 and Boeing 717. As of May 23, 2006, with the final two deliveries of the 717, production of the DC-9 aircraft family has ceased after 41 years.
Contents |
[edit] History
Douglas launched the DC-9 development project in April 1963, intending the DC-9 as a short-range companion to their larger four engined DC-8. Unlike the competing but slightly larger Boeing 727, which used as many 707 components as possible, the DC-9 was an all-new design. The DC-9 features two rear fuselage-mounted Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbofan engines, small, highly efficient wings, and a T-tail.[1] In most configurations, DC-9 aircraft have distinctive 5-abreast seating in coach class. The airplane seats 80 to 135 passengers depending on version and seating arrangement.
The DC-9 prototype first flew in February 1965. The second DC-9 flew a few weeks later and entered service with Delta Air Lines in late 1965.[1] The initial -10 variant would be followed by subsequent growth variants. The final DC-9 variant was the -50, which first flew in 1974. The DC-9 would be a commercial success with 976 built when the production ended in 1982.[1]
The DC-9 would be followed by the introduction of the MD-80 series in 1980. The MD-80 series was originally called DC-9-80 series and was a lengthened DC-9-50 with a higher maximum take-off weight (MTOW) and higher fuel capacity. The MD-80 series was then developed into the MD-90 in the early 1990s. The last variant of the family was the MD-95, which was renamed the Boeing 717-200 after McDonnell Douglas's merger with Boeing in 1997.
The DC-9 family is one of the most rugged, longest-lasting aircraft currently in operation. Operator Northwest Airlines still operates a fleet of DC-9 aircraft, most are over 30 years old. That reputation for reliability and efficiency drove strong sales well into the 2000s. The long-lived DC-9 family is one of the most successful jet airliners ever made with total sales of over 2,400 units; it ranks third behind the second place Airbus A320 family with 3,000 total sales, and the first place Boeing 737 with over 6,000 total sales.
[edit] Variants
DC-9-10: The earliest and smallest DC-9 was 104.4 feet (31.8 m) long and had a maximum weight of 41 tonnes. Power was a pair of 14,000 lbf (54.5 kN) Pratt & Whitney JT8D-5s. One hundred thirty-seven were built. In August 2006 a total of 46 DC-9-10 aircraft remain in airline service. Major operators include USA Jet Airways (9). Some 12 other airlines operate smaller numbers of the type.[2]
DC-9-15 and DC-9-20: These were minor variations on the -10 theme. The -15 added more fuel capacity and higher weights, the -20 used the more powerful engines and improved wings of the -30 to improve hot and high performance. Only a small number of each were made. In August 2006 a total of 2 DC-9-20 aircraft are in airline service, with Aeropostal Alas de C America and Aeropostal Alas de Venezuela.[2] 1Time airline in South Africa still operates a -15.
DC-9-30: The -30 was the definitive model with 662 produced, accounting for about 60% of production. The -30 entered service in February 1967 with a 14 ft 9 in (4.50 m) fuselage stretch, wingspan increased by just over 3 feet (0.9 m) and a high-lift wing system of leading edge slats gives the Series 30 excellent short-field performance. Gross take-off weight was increased to 110,000 lb (50,000 kg), and P&W JT8D-9A engines rated at 14,500 lbf (65 kN) of thrust to JT8D-11 rated at 15,500 lbf (69 kN) of thrust. In August 2006 a total of 294 DC-9-30 aircraft are in airline service. Major operators include: Cebu Pacific Air (11), ABX Air (43), Aero California (23), Aserca Airlines (26) and Northwest Airlines (107). Some 26 other airlines also still operate the type.[2]
DC-9-40: This further stretched version entered service with SAS in March 1968. With a 6ft 6 in (2 m) longer fuselage, accommodation was up to 125 passengers. The -40 was fitted with a variety of Pratt & Whitney engines of between 64.5 and 71 kN. Seventy-one were produced. In August 2006 a total of 41 DC-9-40 aircraft are in airline service, with ABX Air (29) and Northwest Airlines (12).[2]
DC-9-50: The -50 was the largest DC-9 to fly. It had an 8 ft 2 in (2.5) m fuselage stretch and seats up to 139 passengers. It started revenue service in August 1975 and, aside from the size increase, included a number of detail improvements, a new cabin interior, and quieter JT8D-15 or -17 engines in the 70 kN class. McDonnell Douglas delivered 96. In August 2006 a total of 57 DC-9-50 aircraft are in airline service, with Antrak Air (1), Hewa Bora Airways (1), Khors Aircompany (7), Aeropostal Alas de Venezuela (12), Northwest Airlines (34) and Tikal Airlines (2).[2]
[edit] Military and Government
C-9: Several -30 (with side cargo door) types were utilized by the US Military in C-9A Nightingale medevac configuration for the U.S Air Force and the C-9B Skytrain II version used by the U.S Navy and Marines for fleet logistics support moving both personnel and cargo. The VC-9C is a VIP transport version for the US Air Force.
Versions of the DC-9 are also used by the Kuwait Air Force and Italian Air Force.
[edit] MD-80 / MD-90 series
The McDonnell Douglas MD-80 and MD-90 are stretched and updated variants of the DC-9. The MD-80 features Pratt & Whitney JT8D engines with a higher thrust rating than those found on the DC-9, while the MD-90 features a glass cockpit (first featured on the MD-88) and new high-bypass International Aero V2500 engines.
[edit] Specifications
| DC-9-10 | DC-9-21 | DC-9-30 | DC-9-40 | DC-9-50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passengers (1 class) |
90 | 115 | 125 | 135 | |
| Max takeoff weight |
90,700 lb (41,100 kg) |
98,000 lb (44,500 kg) |
110,000 lb (49,900 kg) |
114,000 lb (51,700 kg) |
121,000 lb (54,900 kg) |
| Max range | 1,265 nm (2,340 km) |
1,850 nm (3,430 km) |
1,635 nm (3,030 km) |
1,685 nm (3,120 km) |
1,635 nm (3,030 km) |
| Crusing speed | 561 mph (903 km/h) |
557 mph (896 km/h) |
570 mph (917 km/h) |
558 mph (898 km/h) |
|
| Length | 104 ft 5 in (31.82 m) | 119 ft 4 in (36.37 m) | 125 ft 7 in (38.28 m) | 133 ft 7 in (40.72 m) | |
| Wingspan | 89 ft 5 in (27.25 m) | 93 ft 5 in (28.47 m) | |||
| Tail height | 27 ft 5 in (8.38 m) | ||||
| Powerplants (2x) | Pratt & Whitney JT8D-5 | Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9 | Pratt & Whitney JT8D-15 | Pratt & Whitney JT8D-17 | |
| Engine thrust | 14,000 lbf (62,275 N) | 15,000 lbf (66,723 N) | 15,500 lbf (68,947 N) | 16,000 lbf (71,172 N) | |
- Cabin cross section:
- External width: 10 ft 11.6 in (3.34 m)
- Internal width: 10 ft 3.7 in (3.14 m)
- External height: 11 ft 8 in (3.6 m)
- Internal height: 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Official McDonell Douglas DC-9 data.[3]
[edit] Incidents
"Airliners Historical Overviews/Aircraft Specifications/Crash Statistics" contains a list of DC-9 hull losses. [1]
- In February 15, 1970, A Dominicana de Aviacion DC-9 crashed after taking off from Santo Domingo due to mechanical failures. The crash killed all 101 passengers and crew.
- In January 26, 1972, Jugoslovenski Aero Transport flight JU364 DC9-32 (registration: YU-AHT) had been deliberately destroyed in flight by a bomb placed on the aircraft. The only survivor was a flight attenendant, Vesna Vulović, and currently holds the world's 4th-longest fall record when she fell from 33,000 ft (10,160 m) inside the tail section of the airplane with no parachute and survived.
- June 26, 1978:Air Canada Flight 189 McDonnell Douglas DC-9 overran the runway in Toronto after a blown tire aborted the takeoff. 2 of 107 passengers/crew were killed.
- June 2, 1983, Air Canada Flight 797 McDonnell Douglas DC-9 had an electrical fire in the aft lavatory during flight, resulting in an emergency landing at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. During emergency egress, the sudden influx of oxygen caused a flash fire throughout the cabin, resulting in the deaths of 23 of the 41 passengers. All five crew members survived.
- Aeromexico Flight 498 collided in mid-air over and crashed into the city of Cerritos, California on August 31, 1986, killing all 67 aboard both aircraft and 15 people on the ground.
- A Northwest Airlines DC-9 went off the runway on January 21, 2007 at General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee. The accident was due to an explosion in one of the engines, forcing the pilot to abort takeoff. Of the 104 people aboard, only one back injury was reported.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Norrs, Guy; Wagner, Mark (1999). Douglas Jetliners. MBI Publishing. ISBN 0-7603-0676-1.
- ^ a b c d e Flight International, 3-9 October 2006
- ^ DC-9 Specifications, accessed Oct 23, 2006
[edit] External links
- DC-9 page on Boeing.com
- DC-9 history page on Boeing.com
- DC-9-10/20/30 on Airliners.net and DC-9-40/50 on Airliners.net
- DC-9 History on AviationHistoryOnline.com
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