Dana Air McDonnell Douglas MD-83 (DC-9-83)

Having previously listed as stored, this aircraft is probably on its way to its new owner, Dana Air of Nigeria. This is the first African airline I have seen here in Curacao, a rare guest!!! 

Also note the additional green sticker promoting Nigeria with the text "Nigeria: Good people, Great Nation". Nice!!! Canon EOS600D Rebel T3i [EF18-135mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS]

Aircraft History!

The aircraft was a twin-engined MD-83. Registered in Nigeria as 5N-RAM, it was a former Alaska Airlines aircraft (N944AS), which Alaska Airlines purchased new in 1990, "was bedeviled with technical problems soon after its delivery by McDonnell Douglas" to Alaska Airlines, according to the Alaska Dispatch, and sold in 2008 as part of the airline's transition to an all-Boeing 737 fleet. The aircraft was stored in Miami until early 2012 when it was sold to Dana Airlines.

Background

Douglas Aircraft developed the DC-9 in the 1960s as a short-range companion to their larger DC-8. 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 7,000 produced.

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.

Scandinavian Airlines MD-81 taking off

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.

The Series 80 featured a fuselage 14 ft 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.

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. Some 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.

McDonnell Douglas MD-83 (DC-9-83) Specification

Date of Manufacture:                      10-1990

No. Of Engines:                            2

Aircraft Type:                               Jet

Passenger Capacity (Max):             172

Passenger Capacity (Min):              137

Range (in Miles):                            3,260

Cruising Speed (MPH):                  576

Wingspan:                                     107

Length:                                         147

Height:                                          29

Takeoff Weight (in Lbs):                  140,000

Cabin Type:                                   Pressurized

Age                                                 21.7 Years

Airframe Status                          Written Off

Alaska Airlines bought it on 08-05-2007 by WFBN and leased back. Ferried SEA-VCV 21-08-2008 for storage, Ferried VCV-MIA 11-09-2008 for maintenance. Ferried MIA-KAN 17 - 20-02-2009 on delivery, Crashed 03-06-2012 at Lagos on approach into residential area after reporting engine problems and colliding with a power line