McDonnell Douglas MD-90
| MD-90 | |
|---|---|
| BritishJET MD-90-30 landing at Gatwick Airport near London | |
| Role | Airliner |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | McDonnell Douglas |
| First flight | February 22, 1993 |
| Introduction | 1995 with Delta Air Lines |
| Status | Out of production, in service |
| Primary users | Delta Air Lines Saudi Arabian Airlines Japan Airlines China Southern Airlines |
| Produced | 1993-2000 |
| Number built | 116[1] |
| Unit cost | US$41.5-48.5 million |
| Developed from | McDonnell Douglas MD-80 |
| Variants | McDonnell Douglas MD-94X |
The McDonnell Douglas MD-90 is a twin-engine, short- to medium-range, single-aisle commercial jet aircraft. The MD-90 was developed from the MD-80 series. Differences from the MD-80 include more fuel efficient International Aero Engines V2500 engines and a longer fuselage. The MD-90 has a seating capacity of up to 172 passengers and was introduced into service with Delta Air Lines in 1995.
The MD-90 and the subsequent MD-95/Boeing 717 were derivatives of the MD-80 which, itself, was a derivative commercially introduced in 1980 from the DC-9.
Contents |
[edit] Design and development
[edit] Background
The Douglas Aircraft Company developed the DC-9 in the 1960s as a short-range companion to their larger DC-8.[2] 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 a 5-abreast seating with a capacity of 80 to 135 passengers depending on seating arrangement and aircraft version.
The second generation of the DC-9 was originally called the DC-9-80 series or the DC-9 Super 80 but later marketed as the MD-80[3] and entered service in 1980. McDonnell Douglas began studies into shorter derivatives of the MD-80 in 1983, these studies eventually becoming known as the MD-90. While for several years, McDonnell Douglas proposed powering the MD-90 with two propfan engines, by 1989, it was clear that there was insufficient interest in propjet powered aircraft, and reworked their proposals to feature the IAE V2500 turbofan instead.[4]
[edit] MD-90
The MD-90 was firmly launched on November 14, 1989, when Delta Air Lines placed an order for 50 MD-90s, with options for a further 110 aircraft.[4] The aircraft first flew on February 22, 1993 and the first MD-90 was delivered to Delta in February 1995.[5] The MD-90 was produced adjacent to the Long Beach Airport in Long Beach, California, USA, though two aircraft were produced at Jiangwan Airfield in Shanghai, People's Republic of China.[6]
The MD-90 is a mid-size, medium-range airliner that was developed from the MD-80 series. It is a 5 feet (1.5 m) longer, and updated version of the MD-88 with similar electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) and more powerful, quieter and fuel efficient IAE V2500 engines instead of the JT8D engines, which power the MD-80 series. Typical seating for the MD-90 ranges from 153 to 172 passengers depending on seating arrangement.[7]
The MD-90 was produced in two versions: -30 and -30ER. The -30 had a range of 2,400 miles (3,860 km). The -30ER had a higher gross weight and range up to 2,750 miles (4,426 km) with an auxiliary fuel tank. An even longer range version, the -50 was offered but was not ordered.[8]
The initial MD-90s featured a glass cockpit similar to the MD-88's cockpit.[9] The 29 MD-90s delivered to Saudi Arabian Airlines feature a full glass cockpit with avionics and an overhead display panel similar to the MD-11's cockpit for easy transition for the pilots within Saudi Arabian Airlines, which operate the MD-11.[9][10]
No MD-90 orders were received after Boeing and McDonnell Douglas merged in 1997 due to internal competition with Boeing's 737.[11] Delta Air Lines had initially placed a large order for the MD-90 to replace some aging Boeing 727s. After the Boeing-McDonnell Douglas merger, Delta canceled their remaining 19 MD-90 orders in favor of the Boeing 737-800.[11][12] A total of 40 MD-90s (later 20) were to be assembled under contract in Shanghai, People's Republic of China under the Trunkliner program,[13][14] but Boeing's decision to phase out the MD-90 resulted in only two built by Shanghai Aircraft.[15]
MD-90 production at Long Beach, California ended in 2000 with the last airplane being delivered to Saudi Arabian Airlines,[11] and MD-90T production at Shanghai ended in 2000. With 116 MD-90 aircraft produced, the MD-90 production run was the smallest among the DC-9 family.[1]
Following the MD-90 in the DC-9 family was the MD-95, which was renamed the Boeing 717-200 after McDonnell Douglas (successor to Douglas Aircraft Company) merged with Boeing in 1997.[16] The main competitors of the MD-90 included the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 737-800.
[edit] Variants
- MD-90-30
- Basic variant with two V2500 engines and an EFIS cockpit.
- MD-90-30IGW
- Increased Gross Weight version, one built.
- MD-90-30ER
- Extended Range (ER) version of MD-90-30, two built.
- MD-90-30T "Trunkliner"
- Variant of the MD-90-30 assembled by Shanghai Aviation Industrial Corporation in the People's Republic of China. Production was initially planned to be 40,[17] later reduced to 20,[18] with only two built in the end.[19] To accommodate the heavy aircraft on unsuitable runways, a dual tandem landing gear with more tires to spread the weight of the aircraft was designed for the Trunkliner,[20] but ultimately not used in the two aircraft produced.[21] The COMAC ARJ21 is built using tooling retained by the Chinese after the end of the Chinese MD-90-30 program.[22]
[edit] Operators
Major airlines that have operated the MD-90 include Delta Air Lines, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Japan Air System (JAS).[23]
In January 2011, a total of 74 MD-90 aircraft (all variants) were in airline service, including:[24]
Delta Air Lines (49)[25][26]
Saudi Arabian Airlines (10)[27] (To be phased out and replaced by A320)[28]
Japan Airlines (16)[29] (9 being sold to Delta during bankruptcy, delivery in 2012)[30][31]
Uni Air (6)[24]
EVA Airways (5)[24][32]
Lion Air (3)[24] (To be phased out and replaced by 737-900ER)[33]
[edit] Incidents and accidents
As of August 2010, the MD-90 has been involved in three incidents,[34] including one hull-loss accident,[35] with 1 fatality.[36]
- Notable accidents and incidents
- On August 24, 1999 an UNI Air MD-90 caught fire after a passenger's carry-on luggage containing gasoline was ignited by a motorcycle battery contained in another passenger's carry-on luggage. One person was killed and 28 injured as a result of the cabin fire. The airliner was damaged beyond economic repair.[37]
[edit] Specifications
| MD-90-30 | MD-90-30ER | |
|---|---|---|
| Passengers | 153 (2 class) 172 (1 class) |
|
| Max Take-off Weight | 156,000 lb (70,760 kg) |
168,000 lb (76,204 kg) |
| Take off run at MTOW | 7450 ft (2.270 m) | |
| Range | 2,085 nmi (3,860 km) | 2,172 nmi (4,023 km) *2,389 nmi (4,424 km) |
| Cruise Speed, typical | Mach 0.76 (504 mph, 811 km/h) | |
| Length | 152 ft 7 in (46.5 m) |
|
| Wing span | 107 ft 10 in (32.87 m) |
|
| Height | 30 ft 6 in (9.4 m) |
|
| Power plant (2 x) | IAE V2525-D5 25,000 lbf (111.21 kN) Optional: IAE V2528-D5 28,000 lbf (124.55 kN) |
|
Note: * With extra 565 gallon auxiliary fuel tank.
Sources: Boeing,[38][39] Airlines.net[40]
[edit] See also
- Related development
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Related lists
[edit] References
- ^ a b Orders and Deliveries search page, The Boeing Company. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
- ^ Norris, Guy and Wagner, Mark. Douglas Jetliners. MBI Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0-7603-0676-1.
- ^ History - Chronology - 1977-1982, The Boeing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
- ^ a b Swanborough 1993, p.90.
- ^ MD-90 Background. The Boeing Company. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
- ^ Shanghai Jiangwan Airfield. Global Security. Retrieved: 2008-12-09.
- ^ Technical Characteristics -- MD-90 Series. Boeing.
- ^ MD-90 page, airliners.net. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
- ^ a b Becher 2002, p. 105.
- ^ Saudia Calls for Honeywell Flat Panel Cockpit Displays for New MD-90s. Honeywell. February 6, 1996. Retrieved: 2008-12-08.
- ^ a b c Becher 2002, pp. 102-105.
- ^ Delta's 1997 Annual Report, Delta Air Lines. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
- ^ China Northern Airlines Receives First MD-90 Aircraft, The Boeing Company. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
- ^ Manufacturing Processes, Changes to the Trunkliner Program
- ^ Boeing in China, The Boeing Company. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
- ^ Boeing Chronology, 1997-2001, Boeing
- ^ Mintz, J., Sale of Aircraft Machinery to China Shows Perils of Exporting Technology, Washington Post, June 7, 1998. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
- ^ China Northern Airlines Receives First MD-90, McDonnell Douglas Corporation, July 26, 1996. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
- ^ Becher 2002, p. 104.
- ^ Bailey, J., "China: Boeing argues MDC lead". Flight International, May 1–7, 1991. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
- ^ and http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:i5lIGIRR024J:www.forecastinternational.com/archive/ac/af0100.doc+dual+tandem+MD-90&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=us Boeing MD-90/90 Forecast International. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
- ^ Burchell, Bill. "Setting Up Support For Future Regional Jets". Aviation Week, October 13, 2010.
- ^ MD-90 Statistics. Planespotters.net, August 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
- ^ a b c d "World Military Aircraft Inventory". 2011 Aerospace. Aviation Week and Space Technology, January 2011.
- ^ http://blog.delta.com/2011/06/14/update-wi-fi-and-flat-bed-seats/
- ^ Delta Air Lines fleet information: CH-Aviation
- ^ Saudi Arabian Airlines fleet information: CH-Aviation
- ^ "Dubai 2007: Saudi Arabian chooses A320 in massive fleet restructure-13/11/2007-Flight Daily News". Flightglobal.com. 2007-11-13. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/11/13/219502/dubai-2007-saudi-arabian-chooses-a320-in-massive-fleet.html. Retrieved 2010-07-25.
- ^ Japan Airlines fleet information: CH-Aviation
- ^ "JAL starts selling off one-third of its fleet | The Japan Times Online". Search.japantimes.co.jp. 2010-07-18. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20100718a5.html. Retrieved 2010-07-25.
- ^ Delta to acquire nine MD-90s from JAL | ATWOnline
- ^ "EVA Air Global Website_English_About Eva_Company Profile_MD-90". Evaair.com. http://www.evaair.com/html/b2c/english/eva/Corporate_profile/Fleet_facts/MD-90.htm. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
- ^ Oleh: Hendra Wibawa (2010-07-14). "Bisnis.Com - Bisnis Indonesia Online: Referensi Bisnis Terpercaya » Sektor Riil » Transportasi » Lion Air buang pesawat tua jenis MD". Web.bisnis.com. http://web.bisnis.com/sektor-riil/transportasi/1id193169.html. Retrieved 2010-07-25.
- ^ McDonnell Douglas MD-90 incidents. Aviation-Safety.net, August 4, 2010.
- ^ McDonnell Douglas MD-90 Accident summary. Aviation-Safety.net, August 4, 2010.
- ^ McDonnell Douglas MD-90 Accident Statistics. Aviation-Safety.net, August 4, 2010.
- ^ MD-90 UNI Air accident on August 24, 1999. Aviation-Safety.net. Retrieved: August 9, 2010.
- ^ MD-90 characteristics. Boeing
- ^ MD-90 airport report. Boeing
- ^ MD-90 specs. airliners.net
- Becher, Thomas. Douglas Twinjets, DC-9, MD-80, MD-90 and Boeing 717. The Crowood Press, 2002. ISBN 1-86126-446-1.
- Swanborough, Gordon. "A 'Ninety for the 'Nineties". Air International, August 1993, Vol 45 No 2. Stamford, UK:Key Publishing. pp. 90–95
[edit] External links
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