MD-80 series
Iberia MD-88
Role	Airliner
First flight	October 25, 1979
Introduction	1980 with Swissair and Austrian Airlines
Primary users	American Airlines Delta Air Lines Allegiant Air Alitalia
Produced	1979-1999
Number built	1,191
Unit cost	US$41.5-48.5 million
Developed from	McDonnell Douglas DC-9
Variants	McDonnell Douglas MD-90 Boeing 717

The McDonnell Douglas MD-80 series are twin-engine, medium-range, single-aisle commercial jet airliners. The MD-80 aircraft were lengthened and updated from the DC-9. The MD-80 series can seat from 130 up to 172 passengers depending on variant and seating arrangement.

The MD-80 series was introduced commercially in October 1980 by Swissair. The MD-80 series was followed into service in modified form by the MD-90 in 1995 and the MD-95/Boeing 717 in 1999.

Contents 1 Design and development 1.1 Background 1.2 MD-80 series 1.3 Derivative designs 2 Operational history 3 Variants 4 Incidents and accidents 4.1 Notable accidents and incidents 5 Specifications 6 See also 7 References 8 External links

[edit] Design and development

[edit] Background

Douglas Aircraft developed the DC-9 in the 1960s as a short-range companion to their larger DC-8.^[1] The DC-9 was an all-new design, using two rear fuselage-mounted turbofan engines, and a T-tail. The DC-9 has a narrow-body fuselage design with 5-abreast seating, and holds 80 to 135 passengers depending on seating arrangement and aircraft version.

The MD-80 series was the second generation of the DC-9. It was originally called the DC-9-80 series and the DC-9 Super 80^[2] and entered service in 1980. The MD-80 series was then developed into the MD-90 entering service in 1995. 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 successful jet airliners with a total of over 2,400 units produced; it ranks third behind the second place Airbus A320 family with over 4,000 produced, and the first place Boeing 737 with over 6,000 produced.

[edit] MD-80 series

The MD-80 series is a mid-size, medium-range airliner that was introduced in 1980. The design was the second generation of the DC-9 with two rear fuselage-mounted turbofan engines, small, highly efficient wings, and a T-tail. The aircraft has distinctive 5-abreast seating in coach class. It was a lengthened DC-9-50 with a higher maximum take-off weight (MTOW) and a higher fuel capacity. The aircraft series was designed for frequent, short-haul flights for 130 to 172 passengers depending on plane version and seating arrangement.

The development of MD-80 series began in the 1970s as a growth version of the DC-9 Series 50. Availability of new Pratt & Whitney JT8D higher bypass engines drove early studies including designs known as Series 55, Series 50 (Re-fanned Super Stretch), and Series 60. The design effort focused on the Series 55 in August 1977. With the projected entry into service in 1980, the design was marketed as the "DC-9 Series 80". Swissair launched the Series 80 in October 1977 with an order for 15 plus an option for five.^[1]

The Series 80 featured a fuselage 14 feet 3 in (4.34 m) longer than the DC-9-50. The DC-9 wings were redesigned by adding sections at the wing root and tip for a 28% larger wing. The initial Series 80 first flew October 19, 1979.^[1]

It entered service in 1980. Originally it was certified as a version of the DC-9, but was changed to MD-80 in July 1983, as a marketing move. New versions of the series were initially the MD-81/82/83 and the shortened MD-87, even though their formal certification was DC-9-81/82 etc. Only the MD-88 was given an "MD" certification, as was the later MD-90.

The MD-80 versions have cockpit, avionics and aerodynamic upgrades along with the more powerful, more efficient and quieter JT8D-200 series engines, which are a significant upgrade over the smaller JT8D-15, -17, -11, and -9 series. The MD-80 series aircraft also have longer fuselages than their earlier DC-9 counterparts, as well as longer range. The MD-80's production ended in 1999. Notably, customers such as American Airlines still refer to the planes in fleet documentation as "Super 80". This model is still flown extensively by American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Comparable airliners to the MD-80 series include the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320.

[edit] Derivative designs

The MD-90 was developed from the MD-80 series and was a 5 feet longer, updated version of the MD-88 with a similar electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) (glass cockpit), and improved, and quieter IAE V2500 engines. The MD-90 program was launched in 1989, first flew in 1993 and entered service in 1995.

A number of other variants were proposed that never saw production. One proposal was the MD-94X which was fitted with an unducted fan engine. The MD-81 was used as a testbed for unducted fan engines, such as the GE 36 and the Pratt and Whitney/Allison 578-DX.^[3]

The MD-95 was developed to replace early DC-9 models, then approaching 30 years old. The project was a complete overhaul the original DC-9 and reinventing it for modern transport. The aircraft is slightly longer than the DC-9-30 and is powered by new Rolls-Royce BR715 engines. The MD-95 was renamed Boeing 717 after the McDonnell Douglas—Boeing merger in 1997.

[edit] Operational history

The MD-80 series has been used by airlines around the world. Major customers have included Aeroméxico, Alaska Airlines, Albanian Airlines, Alitalia, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Austral Líneas Aéreas, Austrian Airlines, Avianca, China Eastern Airlines, China Northern Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Air System (JAS), Korean Air, Lion Air, Reno Air, Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS), Spanair, Dutch Caribbean Airlines, and Swissair.^[4]

In July 2009, 886 MD-80 aircraft (all variants) were in airline service, with American Airlines (306), Delta Air Lines (117), Allegiant Air (47), Alitalia (45), Scandinavian Airlines System (44), Austral Líneas Aéreas (26), Spanair (20), Iberia (18), Meridiana (18), Avianca (12), 1Time Airline (11), and other operators with fewer aircraft of the type.^[5]

Due to the usage of the aging JT8D engine, the MD-80 is not fuel efficient compared to the A320 or newer 737 models; it burns 1,050 gallons of jet fuel per hour on a typical flight, while the larger Boeing 737-800 burns only 850 gallons per hour (19% reduction). Many airlines have started to retire the type in the 2000s. Alaska Airlines' tipping point in using the 737-800 was the $4 per gallon price of jet fuel the airline was paying by the summer of 2008; the airline stated that a typical Los Angeles-Seattle flight would cost $2,000 less, using a Boeing 737-800, than the same flight using an MD-80. American Airlines has announced plans to retire at least 20 MD-80s,^[6] and has accelerated delivery of new 737-800s,^[7] while Midwest Airlines announced on July 14, 2008, that it would retire all 12 of its MD-80s (used primarily on routes to the west coast) by the fall.^[8][9] The JT8D's comparatively lower maintenance costs due to simpler design help narrow the fuel cost gap.[1]

[edit] Variants

MD-81 (DC-9-81)

Originally the Super 81, basic production variant with two 18,500 lb thrust JT8D-209 engines.

MD-82 (DC-9-82)

Originally the Super 82, variant for hot and high operations with 20,000 lb thrust JT8D-217 engines and increased maximum take off weight.

MD-83 (DC-9-83)

Long-range version with 21,000 lb thrust JT8D-219 engines.

MD-87 (DC-9-87)

Short fuselage variant of the MD-80 with electronic flight instrumentation first flown in 1987.

MD-88

An MD-82 with updated glass cockpit of the MD-87.

MD-90-30

Stretched variant with updated glass cockpit and two V2500 engines, also Extended Range (ER) version as the MD-90-30ER.

MD-95

Replacement for the earlier DC-9-30, built as the Boeing 717.

[edit] Incidents and accidents

As of November 2009, the MD-80 series has been involved in 60 incidents,^[10] including 27 hull-loss accidents,^[11] with 1,177 fatalities.^[12]

[edit] Notable accidents and incidents

• On December 1, 1981, an Inex-Adria Aviopromet Flight 1308, an MD-81 crashed into Corsica's Mt. San Pietro during a holding pattern for landing at Campo dell'Oro Airport, Ajaccio. All 180 passengers and crew were killed.

• On August 16, 1987, Northwest Airlines Flight 255, an MD-82 crashed shortly after takeoff from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport due to flight crew's failure to use the taxi checklist to ensure the flaps and slats were extended for takeoff according to the NTSB. All crew and passengers were killed with the exception of a 4-year old girl, Cecelia Cichan.^[13]

• On December 27, 1991, SAS Flight 751, an MD-81, OY-KHO "Dana Viking" crash landed at Gottröra, Sweden. In the initial climb both engines ingested ice broken loose from the wings (which had not been properly de-iced before departure). The ice damaged the compressor blades causing compressor stall. The stall further caused repeated engine surges that finally destroyed both engines, leaving the aircraft with no propulsion. The aircraft landed in a field and broke in three parts. No fire occurred and all aboard survived.

• On June 1, 1999, American Airlines Flight 1420, an MD-82 attempting to land in severe weather conditions at Little Rock Airport overshot the runway and crashed into the banks of the Arkansas River. Eleven people, including the captain, died.

• On January 31, 2000, Alaska Airlines Flight 261, an MD-83, crashed in the Pacific Ocean, due to loss of horizontal stabilizer control.^[14] All 88 people on board were killed. Following the crash, the acme nut and jackscrew recovered from the aircraft were found to be excessively worn^[15] and found to be the cause of the crash due to inadequate maintenance. The FAA ordered airlines to inspect and lubricate the jackscrew more frequently.^[16]

• On October 8, 2001, Scandinavian Airlines Flight 686, an MD-87 (SE-DMA) collided with a small Cessna jet during take-off at Linate Airport, Milan, Italy. The Linate Airport disaster left 118 people dead. The cause of the accident was a misunderstanding between air traffic controllers and the Cessna jet, and the SAS crew had no role in causing the accident. Also the ground movement radar was inoperative at the time of the accident.

• On May 7, 2002, China Northern Airlines Flight 6136, an MD-82, from Beijing to Dalian, crashed into Bohai Bay near Dalian, after the pilot reported "fire on board". All 111 people on board were killed.

• On November 30, 2004, Lion Air Flight 538, an MD-82 crash landed at Adi Sumarmo Airport in Surakarta and overran the end of the runway. There were 25 fatalities.

• On August 16, 2005, West Caribbean Airways Flight 708, an MD-82 crashed in a mountainous region in northwest Venezuela killing all 152 passengers and eight crew.^[17]

• On March 4, 2006, Lion Air Flight 8987, an MD-82, after landing at Juanda International Airport reverse thrust was used although stated to be out of order, this caused the aircraft to veer to the right and skid off the runway coming to rest 7,000 ft from the approach end of RWY10. No one was killed but the aircraft was damaged with a repair bill of $3 million.^[18]

• On September 16, 2007, One-Two-GO Airlines Flight 269, an MD-82 crashed at the side of the runway and exploded after an apparent attempt to execute a go-around in bad weather at Phuket International Airport. Eighty-nine of the 130 people on board were killed.^[19][20]

• On November 30, 2007, Atlasjet Flight 4203, a MD-83 crashed in the southwestern province of Isparta, Turkey, killing all 57 people aboard.^[21] The cause of the crash was attributed to pilot spatial disorientation.

• Between March 26, and March 27 then again between April 8, and April 12, 2008 an FAA safety audit of American Airlines forced the airline to ground its entire 300 MD-80 series fleet, to inspect the aircraft's hydraulic wiring. American was forced to cancel nearly 2500 flights in March and over 3200 in April.^[22] In addition, Delta Air Lines inspected its own MD-80 fleet to ensure its 117 MD-80s were also operating within regulation. This prompted Delta to cancel 275 flights.^[23]

• On August 20, 2008, Spanair Flight 5022, an MD-82 registration EC-HFP from Madrid's Barajas Airport crashed shortly after takeoff on a flight to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. According to Spanair the MD-82 had 162 passengers and ten crew on board, of whom 19 survived according to some reports.^[24] The crash resulted from an incorrect wing flaps setting on take-off.

• On November 19, 2009, Compagnie Africaine d'Aviation Flight 3711, operated by MD-82 9Q-CAB overran the runway on landing at Goma International Airport, and suffered substantial damage. The overrun area was contaminated by solidified lava.^[25]

[edit] Specifications

	MD-81	MD-82/-88	MD-83	MD-87
Passengers	155 (2 class) 172 (1 class)	152 (2 class) 172 (1 class)	155 (2 class) 172 (1 class)	130 (2 class) 139 (1 class)
Max Take-off Weight	140,000 lb (64,000 kg)	149,500 lb (67,800 kg)	160,000 lb (72,600 kg)	140,000 lb (64,000 kg)
Range	1,570 NM (2,910 km)	2,050 NM (3,800 km)	2,504 NM (4,640 km)	2,400 NM (4,440 km)
Typical Cruise Speed	Mach 0.76 (504 mph, 811 km/h)
Length	147 ft 8 in (45.1 m)			130 ft 4 in (39.7 m)
Wing span	107 ft 8 in (32.8 m)
Height	29 ft 6 in (9.05 m)			30 ft 5 in (9.3 m)
Power plant (2 x)	P&W JT8D-209 18,500 lbf (82.29 kN)	P&W JT8D-217A/C or -219 20,000 lbf (88.96 kN)	P&W JT8D-219 21,000 lbf (93.41 kN)	P&W JT8D-217C 20,000 lbf (88.96 kN)

Sources: Official MD-80 specifications,^[26] MD-80 Airport report^[27]

[edit] See also

• Airstair
  

Related development

• McDonnell Douglas DC-9
• McDonnell Douglas MD-90
• Boeing 717
• ACAC ARJ21
  

Comparable aircraft

• Airbus A320 family
• Boeing 737 Classic
• Bombardier CSeries
  

Related lists

• List of airliners
• List of civil aircraft
  

[edit] References

• Becher, Thomas. Douglas Twinjets, DC-9, MD-80, MD-90 and Boeing 717. The Crowood Press, 2002. ISBN 1-86126-446-1.

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: McDonnell Douglas MD-80/MD-90

• MD-80 page on Boeing.com
• MD-80 and MD-90 history on Boeing.com
• MD-81/82/83/88 and MD-87 pages on Airliners.net
• Boeing MD-82 landing page on Flightglobal.com

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