McDonnell Douglas MD-90

{{Infobox aircraft

| name = MD-90

| image = File:Delta McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 N908DA (2933350256).jpg

| caption = An MD-90 of Delta Air Lines, both its launch customer and final operator

| national_origin = United States

| manufacturer = McDonnell Douglas
Boeing Commercial Airplanes (from Aug. 1997)
Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Company (under license)

| designer =

| first_flight = February 22, 1993

| introduction = 1995 with Delta Air Lines

| retired = June 2, 2020 (commercially)

| status = Retired (commercial use){{cn|date=May 2024}}

| primary_user = Delta Air Lines (historical)

| more_users = Saudi Arabian Airlines (historical)
Japan Airlines (historical)
NASA (X-66)

| produced = 1993–2000

| number_built = 116

| developed_from = McDonnell Douglas MD-80

| variants = McDonnell Douglas MD-94X
Boeing 717 (MD-95)

| developed_into = Boeing X-66

}}

The McDonnell Douglas (later Boeing) MD-90 is a retired American five-abreast single-aisle airliner developed by McDonnell Douglas from its successful model MD-80. The airliner was produced by the developer company until 1997 and then by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It was a stretched derivative of the MD-80 and thus part of the DC-9 family.

After the more fuel-efficient IAE V2500 high-bypass turbofan was selected, Delta Air Lines became the launch customer on November 14, 1989.

The MD-90 first flew on February 22, 1993, and the first delivery was in February 1995 to Delta.

The MD-90 competed with the Airbus A320ceo family and the Boeing 737 Next Generation.

Its 5 ft (1.4 m) longer fuselage seats 153 passengers in a mixed configuration over up to {{Convert|2455|nmi|abbr=~|lk=in}}, making it the largest member of the DC-9 family. It kept the MD-88's electronic flight instrument system (EFIS).

The shrunken derivative of MD-80 or shorter variant of MD-90, originally marketed as MD-95, was later renamed the Boeing 717 following McDonnell Douglas' merger with Boeing in 1997.

Production ended in 2000 after 116 deliveries. Delta Air Lines flew the final MD-90 passenger flight on June 2, 2020. It was briefly retired before being put into testing with Boeing Commercial Airplanes for the NASA X-66 program.

It was involved in three hull-loss accidents with only one fatality being a fire related or non-aeronautical accident.

Development

The DC-9 series, the first generation of the DC-9 family with five members or variants (DC-9-10 / DC-9 Series 10, Series 20, Series 30, Series 40, and Series 50) and ten production versions (Series 11, Series 12, Series 14, Series 15, Series 21, Series 31, Series 32, Series 33, Series 34, Series 41, and Series 51), was a commercial success with 976 units built when production ended in 1982.{{cite web |url= http://www.boeing.com/commercial/#/orders-deliveries |title= Orders & Deliveries |publisher= Boeing}} The aircraft series was an all-new design, using two rear fuselage-mounted turbofan engines, a T-tail configuration, and a narrow-body fuselage design with five-abreast seating for 80 to 135 passengers.{{cite web |url= https://history.nasa.gov/SP-468/ch13-4.htm |title= Quest for Performance: The Evolution of Modern Aircraft; Part II: THE JET AGE |date= January 1985 |publisher= NASA |last1= Loftin |first1= Lawrence K. }} The success prompted the manufacturer to further develop the first generation DC-9 family into its second generation.

=Baseline: MD-80=

The MD-80 series, the first derivative or the second generation of the DC-9 family, entered service in 1980. The aircraft series was originally designated as Series 80 or stylized as the Super 80,[http://www.boeing.com/history/chronology/chron12.html History – Chronology – 1977–1982] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305213453/http://www.boeing.com/history/chronology/chron12.html |date=March 5, 2012}}. The Boeing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-14. which was a 14 ft 3 in (4.34 m) lengthened Series 50 with a higher maximum take-off weight (MTOW) and higher fuel capacity, as well as next-generation Pratt and Whitney JT8D-200 series engines and an improved wing design.{{cite web |url=http://www1.boeing.com/commercial/md-80-90/index.html |title=Boeing: MD-80 Background |publisher=Boeing |access-date=July 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990302070457/http://www1.boeing.com/commercial/md-80-90/index.html |archive-date=March 2, 1999 |url-status=dead}} The MD-80 series has five variants or production versions, which are designated with a non-zero second digit similar to the DC-9 series, the MD-81, MD-82, MD-83, MD-87, and the MD-88. A total of 1,191 MD-80 airliners were delivered from 1980 to 1999, making it the company's most successful airliner model.{{cite web |url=http://www.boeing.com/commercial/#/orders-deliveries |title=Boeing: Commercial — Orders & Deliveries |access-date=July 16, 2015}}

In 1983, McDonnell Douglas began studies on derivatives of the MD-80 series or the third generation of the DC-9 family, which later became known as the MD-90 series.

=Stretching: MD-90=

File:McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30, Blue1 JP6449673.jpg MD-90-30 (2008)]]

The MD-90, the stretched derivative of the MD-80 and thus the third generation of the DC-9 family,{{cn|date=May 2023}} was launched on November 14, 1989 when Delta Air Lines placed an order for 50 MD-90s, with options to purchase a further 110 aircraft.{{cite news |work=Los Angeles Times |title=Delta Places $10-Billion Order for 260 Jetliners: Aviation: The airline will buy Douglas MD-90s and Boeing 737s. Long Beach firm now has a huge backlog. |date=November 15, 1989 |given1=Robert E. |surname1=Dallos |given2=Ralph |surname2=Vartabedian |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-11-15-mn-1716-story.html |location=New York, New York and Long Beach, California, USA}} The type was 57-inch-longer (1.4 m) longer than MD-80 and featured a glass cockpit (electronic instrumentation) and more powerful, quieter, fuel-efficient IAE V2525-D5 engines, with the option of upgrading to an IAE V2528 engine.{{cite web |url=http://www.boeing.com/commercial/md-90/product.html |title=Boeing: Commercial Airplanes — MD-90 Technical Characteristics |access-date=July 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308021328/http://www.boeing.com/commercial/md-90/product.html |archive-date=March 8, 2013 |url-status=dead}}

==Large stretch: MD-90X==

Starting in late 1986, McDonnell Douglas began offering the MD-90X, a {{cvt|25|ft}} stretch of the MD-80. Unlike the MD-91 and MD-92 derivatives and the clean-sheet MD-94X proposal, the MD-90X would still use turbofan engines. The MD-90X would carry 180 passengers.{{cite magazine |issn=0015-4806 |magazine=Flying |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-9TQQS3ThQwC&pg=PA96 |title=GA strong at Farnborough |given=Nigel |surname=Moll |date=December 1986 |pages=96–97 |department=Minifeature |publication-date=December 1986 |volume=113 |number=12}} Powered by the {{cvt|26500|lbf|kN|adj=mid|thrust}} CFM56-5 or V2500, the MD-90X replaced the MD-89 as McDonnell Douglas's proposed new turbofan offering, and it was designed to compete with the Boeing 757.{{cite magazine |magazine=Air Transport World |title=Farnborough finds industry on edge of many decisions |volume=23 |date=October 1986 |pages=18+}}

==Propfan engine==

===Civilian: MD-94X===

File:McDonnell Douglas MD-94X propfan aircraft.png]]

File:McDonnell Douglas MD-81(UHB) McDonnell Douglas demonstrator, Farnborough UK - England, September 1988 (5589380211) (cropped).jpg engines at Farnborough Airshow 1988]]

For several years, McDonnell Douglas proposed powering the MD-90 with two unducted fan (UDF) or propfan engines,{{cite news |work=New York Times |title=Betting Big on a New Type of Jet Engine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/10/business/betting-big-on-a-new-type-of-jet-engine.html |page=D8 |date=February 10, 1988 |given=Andrea |surname=Adelson}} designated the MD-94X. Previously, an MD-81 was used as a testbed for propfan engines, such as the General Electric GE36 and the Pratt & Whitney/Allison 578-DX.{{cite web|url=https://aviationweek.com/new-generation-ge-open-rotor-regional-jet-engine-demo-efforts-planned|title=New-Generation GE Open Rotor and Regional Jet Engine Demo Efforts Planned|work=archive.li|last=Norris|first=Guy|date=May 12, 2008|access-date=February 24, 2025|url-status=deviated|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110812012241/http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=busav&id=news/aw051208p2.xml&headline=New-Generation%20GE%20Open%20Rotor%20and%20Regional%20Jet%20Engine%20Demo%20Efforts%20Planned|archive-date=August 12, 2011}}

By mid-1989, it was clear that there was insufficient interest in propfan-powered aircraft, so the company reworked its proposals to instead feature the IAE V2500 turbofan,Swanborough 1993, p.90.{{cite news |date=October 11, 1989 |title=McDonnell Douglas Drops $100 Million Prop-Fan Jet Engine |location=Long Beach, California, USA |url=https://www.apnews.com/f9e26c7174d19b7d5b5e1ac47f474878 |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=May 3, 2019 |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130085021/https://apnews.com/f9e26c7174d19b7d5b5e1ac47f474878 |url-status=dead }} which was estimated to be $1 million cheaper than the GE36 and had already been certified for the Airbus A320.{{cite magazine |magazine=Flight International |date=24 June 1989 |title=New assembly line for MD-90 Series |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1989/1989%20-%201990.PDF}} Within six weeks of eliminating the propfan option, the MD-90 secured a large launch order.{{cite report |title=Preliminary technology cost estimates of measures available to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 2010 |url=https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPURL.cgi?Dockey=9101ZM46.txt |date=August 1990 |at=Attachment D: Memo from Michael Kavanaugh on UDF aircraft engine (PDF pages 125–134) |author=United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)}}

===Military: P-9D===

When the United States Navy wanted to replace its 125 Lockheed P-3 Orion anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft, McDonnell Douglas offered the P-9D, which would be a propfan-powered version of the MD-91. The {{cvt|25000|lbf|kN}} thrust engine would be either the General Electric GE36 or the Pratt & Whitney/Allison 578-DX.{{cite magazine |magazine=Flight International |date=August 22, 1987 |page=8 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1987/1987%20-%201522.PDF |title=MDC studies propfan ASW}} Lockheed won the competition with its P-3 derivative, the Lockheed P-7, but the replacement program was later canceled.

=Shrinking: MD-95=

In 1991, McDonnell Douglas revealed that it was again considering developing a specialized 100-seat version of the MD-80, to be some {{cvt|8|ft}} shorter than the MD-87, powered with engines in the {{cvt|16000|-|17000|lbf|kN}} thrust class.Airclaims Jet Programs 1995{{page needed|date=August 2016}} At the Paris Airshow, McDonnell Douglas announced the development of a 105-seat version of the MD-80, designated MD-95. In early 1994, the MD-95 re-emerged as similar to the DC-9-30, its specified weight, dimensions, and fuel capacity being almost identical. Major changes included a fuselage "shrink" back to {{cvt|124|ft|0|in}} length (slightly longer than the DC-9-30), and the reversion to the original DC-9 wingspan of {{cvt|93|ft|5|in}}. At this time, McDonnell Douglas said that it expected the MD-95 to become a family of aircraft with the capability of increased range and seating capacity.

The MD-95 was developed to satisfy the market need to replace early DC-9s, then approaching 30 years old. The MD-95 was a complete overhaul, going back to the original DC-9-30 design and applying new engines, cockpit and other more modern systems. McDonnell Douglas first offered the MD-95 for sale in 1994.{{cite book|last= Norris |first= Guy |author2=Wagner, Mark |title= Douglas Jetliners |publisher= MBI Publishing |year=1999 |isbn= 0-7603-0676-1}}Becher, Thomas. Douglas Twinjets, DC-9, MD-80, MD-90 and Boeing 717. The Crowood Press, 2002. {{ISBN|1-86126-446-1}}. pp. 106-107. The airliner was later renamed the Boeing 717-200 after McDonnell Douglas merged with Boeing in 1997.[http://www.boeing.com/history/chronology/chron16.html Boeing Chronology, 1997–2001] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102173045/http://www.boeing.com/history/chronology/chron16.html |date=January 2, 2013}}, Boeing

=Early operations=

File:McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30, China Eastern Airlines JP6357877.jpg MD-90-30 showing a bottom view]]

The type first flew on February 22, 1993, and the first MD-90 was delivered to Delta in February 1995.{{cite web |url=http://www.boeing.com/commercial/md-80-90/md90.html |title=Boeing: Commercial Airplanes – MD-90 Background |access-date=16 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216043002/http://www.boeing.com/commercial/md-80-90/md90.html |archive-date=2013-02-16}}

No MD-90 orders were received after Boeing and McDonnell Douglas merged in 1997 due to internal competition with Boeing's 737.Becher 2002, pp. 102–105. 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.[http://www.secinfo.com/dsVsf.8a67.8.htm Delta's 1997 Annual Report], Delta Air Lines. Retrieved 2008-12-08.

=Production=

The MD-90 was produced adjacent to the Long Beach Airport in Long Beach, California, USA. 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,[http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/mdc/96-180.html China Northern Airlines Receives First MD-90 Aircraft], The Boeing Company. Retrieved 2008-12-08. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418153108/http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/mdc/96-180.html |date=2008-04-18}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/resources/1999/coxreport/manufacturing/pg3.html|title=Cox Report – May 25, 1999|work=cnn.com}} but Boeing's decision to phase out the MD-90 resulted in only two built by Shanghai Aircraft.[http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/aboutus/boechina.html Boeing in China], The Boeing Company. Retrieved 2008-12-08. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020162329/http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/aboutus/boechina.html |date=2008-10-20}} MD-90 production at Long Beach, California ended in 2000 with the last airplane being delivered to Saudi Arabian Airlines, 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.{{cite web|title=Boeing: Commercial – Orders & Deliveries|url=http://www.boeing.com/commercial/#/orders-deliveries|website=Boeing|access-date=27 July 2015}} Two aircraft were also produced at Jiangwan Airfield in Shanghai, People's Republic of China.[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/shanghai-jiangwan.htm Shanghai Jiangwan Airfield]. Global Security. Retrieved: 2008-12-09.

=Retirement=

The main competitors of the MD-90 included the Airbus A320ceo and the Boeing 737-800. Aeronautical Engineers Inc (AEI) planned to begin an MD-90 freighter conversion program in 2016/2017 when the 737-400SF conversions were expected to be phased out, but canceled it in 2015. A converted MD-90 freighter would be longer than a 12-pallet capacity MD-80SF and would have one more pallet position, or 13 pallets total. However, as with the MD-80SF, the narrow fuselage cross-section only allows for non-standard 88" x 108" pallets or containers, which is the main disadvantage in cargo operations and limits its potential market. The main reason for AEI's decision not to continue the 13-pallet freighter program was the limited availability of MD-90 in the market. At the time, fewer than 100 aircraft were still active, most of which were in Delta Air Lines fleet.{{Cite web |title= Do not wait for an MD-90 freighter |url= https://www.aircargonews.net/airlines/freighter-operator/do-not-wait-for-an-md-90-freighter/ |website= Air Cargo News |date=February 24, 2015 |access-date=August 30, 2022}} On June 2, 2020, Delta operated its last MD-90 on the type's final commercial flights,{{Cite web |url=https://news.delta.com/deltas-md-88-and-md-90-mad-dogs-touch-down-one-last-time |title= Delta's MD-88 and MD-90 'Mad Dogs' to touch down one last time}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/delta-retires-md-80-series-aircraft-send-off-in-atlanta-2020-6 |title= What it was like on the last fight of a Delta McDonnell Douglas 'Mad Dog' jet which were all just sent to an early retirement after 33 years in the sky |website= Business Insider}} and so the MD-90 was retired without a freighter conversion to extend its service life.

Design

File:MD-90 Flight Deck.jpg]]

File:Md-90 Sva 04092003 F.jpg]]

The MD-90 is a mid-size, medium-range airliner that was developed from the MD-80 series. Resembling the preliminary version of the MD-88 from March 1984,{{cite news |title=McDonnell-Douglas studying MD-80 airliner derivative |given=Michael |surname=Dixon |work=Financial Times |date=March 16, 1984 |url=https://archive.org/stream/FinancialTimes1984UKEnglish/Mar%2016%201984%2C%20Financial%20Times%2C%20%2329273%2C%20UK%20%28en%29#page/n5/mode/1up}} the MD-90 is a {{convert|57|in|m|adj=mid|-longer}}, updated version of the base MD-80 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.{{cite tech paper |chapter=Development of the McDonnell Douglas MD-90 |given1=Arthur E. |surname1=Kressly |given2=Anthony C. |surname2=Parker |work=SAE Transactions |year=1995 |volume=104 |title=Section 1: Journal of aerospace |series=SAE Technical Paper Series |pages=1612–1623 |publisher=SAE International |jstor=44612076 |doi=10.4271/952052}} This made the MD-90 the first derivative variant of the DC-9 to use a high-bypass turbofan engine. Due to the heavier engines, the engine pylons feature flaps that deflect 30° downward to assist in pitching down for stall recovery. The system activates automatically when the control column is pushed fully forward.{{Cite journal|title=Powerfully quiet|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1994/1994%20-%202604.PDF|journal=Flight International|volume=26 October – 1 November 1994|pages=37}}

Typical seating for the MD-90 ranges from 153 to 172 passengers, depending on the cabin configuration and interior layout.{{cite web |url=http://www.boeing.com/commercial/md-90/product.html |title=Boeing: Commercial Airplanes – MD-90 Technical Characteristics |access-date=16 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308021328/http://www.boeing.com/commercial/md-90/product.html |archive-date=2013-03-08 |url-status=dead}} The MD-90 was produced in two versions: -30 and −30ER. The −30 has a range of {{cvt|2045|nmi|0}}. The −30ER has a higher gross weight and range up to {{cvt|2455|nmi|0}} with an extra 565 US gal (2,140 L) auxiliary fuel tank. An even longer-range version, the −50, was offered but was never ordered.{{Cn|date=August 2024}}

The initial MD-90s feature an EFIS cockpit similar to the MD-88's cockpit.Becher 2002, p. 105. 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 airline's pilots of the MD-11, also operated by the airline.[http://www.sac.honeywell.com/atsrel.html#saudi-fp Saudia Calls for Honeywell Flat Panel Cockpit Displays for New MD-90s] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080727010139/http://www.sac.honeywell.com/atsrel.html |date=2008-07-27}}. Honeywell. February 6, 1996. Retrieved: 2008-12-08.

Variants

=Production variants=

;MD-90-30: Base variant with two V2525-D5 or V2528-D5 engines and an EFIS cockpit similar to that of the MD-88. V2528-D5 engines also has an option to select between 25K or 28K ratings if needed by activating a switch in the flight deck.

;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,Mintz, J., [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/campfin/stories/mcdonnell060798.htm Sale of Aircraft Machinery to China Shows Perils of Exporting Technology], Washington Post, June 7, 1998. Retrieved 2008-12-09. later reduced to 20,{{Cite press release |title=China Northern Airlines Receives First MD-90 |date=July 26, 1996 |url=http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/mdc/96-180.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001217030500/http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/mdc/96-180.html |archive-date=December 17, 2000 |institution=McDonnell Douglas Corporation}} with only two built in the end.Becher 2002, p. 104. 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,Bailey, J., [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1991/1991%20-%201091.html "China: Boeing argues MDC lead"]. Flight International, May 1–7, 1991. Retrieved 2008-12-09. but ultimately not used in the two aircraft produced.{{Cite report |url=https://www.forecastinternational.com/archive/disp_old_pdf.cfm?ARC_ID=317 |title=Civil aircraft forecast: Boeing MD-80/90 Series – archived 5/2003 |last=Forecast International |date=May 2002 |page=4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226201916/http://www.forecastinternational.com/archive/ac/af0100.doc |archive-date=February 26, 2009 |format=PDF |url-status=live}} The Comac ARJ21 is built using tooling retained by the Chinese after the end of the Chinese MD-90-30 program.Burchell, Bill. [http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=om&id=news/om/2010/10/01/OM_10_01_2010_p33-252956.xml&headline=null&next=10 "Setting Up Support For Future Regional Jets"]. Aviation Week, October 13, 2010. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126111655/https://aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=om&id=news%2Fom%2F2010%2F10%2F01%2FOM_10_01_2010_p33-252956.xml&headline=null&next=10 |date=January 26, 2020}}

;MD-90-30EFD: Enhanced Flight Deck version of MD-90 with similar instrumentation to the MD-11, 29 built, all scrapped in 2013.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}}

=Proposed variants=

;MD-90-10: A shorter variant with the same length as the MD-87, carrying from 114 passengers in a three-class layout to 139 passengers in a high-density configuration. It has a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of {{cvt|63040|kg|ST MT lb kg|order=out}} and a range of {{cvt|4470|km|nmi mi km|order=out}} with fuel reserves.{{Cite magazine |date=December 12, 1989 |title=MD-90 family will include 180-seater 40 variant |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1989/1989%20-%203788.PDF |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207083331/https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1989/1989%20-%203788.PDF |archive-date=2017-12-07 |access-date= |department=Technical: Air Transport |magazine=Flight International |page=16}} Engine thrust would be {{cvt|99|kN|lbf|order=flip}}.{{Cite magazine |date=September 4–10, 1991 |title=Commercial aircraft of the world |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1991/1991%20-%202336.html |magazine=Flight International |page=62}} This variant was not built.

;MD-90-10EC: Unbuilt "European Community" version of the MD-90-10, with a higher MTOW and the engine thrust raised to MD-90-30 levels for an increased range of {{cvt|5550|km|nmi mi km|order=out}}.{{Cite magazine |date=February 21–27, 1990 |title=Europe offered new variant of MD-90 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1990/1990%20-%200486.PDF |magazine=Flight International |given=Alan |surname=Postlethwaite}}

;MD-90-20: Proposed re-engining of MD-80 series aircraft to V2500 engines.{{cn|date=March 2023}}

;MD-90-30EC: Unbuilt "European Community" version of the MD-90-30, with a higher MTOW and the engine thrust raised to MD-90-40 levels for an increased range of {{cvt|5180|km|nmi mi km|order=out}}.

;MD-90-40: A proposed {{cvt|52.3|m|ft|order=flip|adj=mid|long}} variant with a maximum capacity of up to 217 passengers, though the normal three-class layout would hold 170–180 passengers. The derivative would have a storage capacity of {{cvt|45.6|m3|cuft|order=flip}}, a maximum takeoff weight of {{cvt|74150|kg|ST MT lb kg|order=out}}, and a height of {{cvt|9.4|m|ft|order=flip}}. Engine thrust would be {{cvt|126|kN|lbf|order=flip}}. This variant was never built.

;MD-90-40EC: Unbuilt "European Community" version of the MD-90-40, with a higher MTOW for an increased range of {{cvt|3530|km|nmi mi km|order=out}}. Other improvements include wing area enlargement/strengthening, adoption of MD-11 avionics, one-person baggage loading improvements, and better interiors.

;MD-90-50ER:A proposed variant similar to the MD-90-30, but with two extra auxiliary fuel tanks mounted on the belly. The aircraft had an MTOW of {{cvt|172500|lb|ST MT lb kg|order=out}}, used IAE V2528 engines with {{cvt|28000|lbf|kN}} thrust, and had an estimated range of {{cvt|3022|nmi|mi km}}.

;MD-90-55: A proposed variant with two extra passenger doors and room for 187 passengers in a single-class configuration.

Operators

There are no longer any MD-90 aircraft in service as Delta Air Lines was the last remaining operator in 2020.{{Cn|date=August 2024}} They began phasing out its MD-90s in 2017,{{Cite web |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/delta-pulls-newer-md-90s-over-md-88s-in-fleet-update-450194/ |title=Delta pulls newer MD-90s over MD-88s in fleet update |last=Russell |first=Edward |date=2018-07-13 |website=Flightglobal.com |language=en-GB |access-date=2019-01-23}} before retiring its remaining MD-90s after their final flights on June 2, 2020.{{cite press release |author=Staff writer |title=By the numbers: A final salute to Delta's MD-88 and MD-90 'Mad Dogs' |url=https://news.delta.com/delta-fly-final-md-88-md-90-flights-june-2 |publisher=Delta Air Lines |date= June 1, 2020 |access-date= June 1, 2020}}

=Deliveries=

Type	Total	2000	1999	1998	1997	1996	1995
class="wikitable" style="text-align:right; font-size:95%;" \|+ Deliveries[http://active.boeing.com/commercial/orders/index.cfm?content=userdefinedselection.cfm&pageid=m15527 Order and Deliveries – User Defined Reports.] Boeing
MD-90-30 \|113\|\|3\|\|13\|\|34\|\|25\|\|25\|\|13
MD-90-30ER \|1\|\| \|\| \|\| \|\|1\|\| \|\|
MD-90-30T \|2\|\|2\|\| \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\|
MD-90 series \|116\|\|5\|\|13\|\|34\|\|26\|\|25\|\|13

Accidents and incidents

During its service life, the MD-90 was involved in three hull-loss accidents, resulting in one fatality.[http://aviation-safety.net/database/dblist.php?Type=351-9 McDonnell Douglas MD-90 incidents]. Aviation-Safety.net, June 2, 2020.[http://aviation-safety.net/database/type/type-stat.php?type=351-9 McDonnell Douglas MD-90 Accident Statistics]. Aviation-Safety.net, June 2, 2020.

On August 24, 1999, Uni Air Flight 873, an 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. 27 people were injured with one fatality as a result of the cabin fire. The aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair.[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19990824-0 MD-90 UNI Air accident on August 24, 1999]. Aviation-Safety.net. Retrieved: August 9, 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.fss.aero/accident-reports/dvdfiles/TW/2000-08-24-TW.pdf |title= Accident Investigation Report UIA 873, B-17912MD-90-30 cabin explosion and fire during landing roll Hua-Lien, Taiwan |date= August 24, 2000 |access-date=August 14, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924015759/http://www.fss.aero/accident-reports/dvdfiles/TW/2000-08-24-TW.pdf |archive-date=September 24, 2015}}
On February 23, 2009, a Lion Air MD-90 with 156 passengers and 6 crew members, performing flight JT-972 from Medan to Batam in Indonesia, could not extend the nose gear while on approach to runway 04 of Batam's Hang Nadim International Airport. The crew aborted the approach and circled the airport while trying to troubleshoot the problem. After around one hour, they were forced to land without the nose gear at around 18:30 local time (11:30GMT). The airport’s emergency services had sprayed foam on the runway for the landing, which the crew performed safely.[https://www.bangaloreaviation.com/2009/02/lion-air-md90-lands-without-nose-gear.html Lion Air MD90 lands without nose gear in Indonesia on February 23, 2009]. Bangalore Aviation Retrieved: July 18, 2022.
On March 9, 2009, a Lion Air MD-90 overran runway 25L at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport, due to an unstable approach 330 ft (100 m) before the runway in rainfall and strong winds, in which the aircraft touched down to the left of the centerline. Although its thrust reversers were functioning, it veered to the right, resulting in the aircraft resting 90 degrees off the runway.[https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20090309-1 MD-90 Lion Air accident on March 9, 2009]. Aviation-Safety.net. Retrieved: July 18, 2022.
On May 8, 2009, a Saudi Arabian Airlines MD-90 with seven crew members and no passengers on a repositioning flight from Jeddah was substantially damaged during a runway excursion at Riyadh airport. On touchdown, the captain manually extended the speed brake (spoiler) lever, but did not latch it in the fully extended (EXT) position (fully aft and latched upwards), and the lever automatically returned to the forward retracted (RET) position which was not noticed by the cockpit crew. After touchdown, the aircraft banked to the right and began to drift right of the runway center line and left the runway at high speed, traversed the full width of the G4 taxiway, where the left main landing gear collapsed during this time. The aircraft came to rest on taxiway GOLF and all crew members escaped with no injuries.[https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20090508-1 MD-90 Saudi Arabian Airlines accident on May 8, 2009]. Aviation-Safety.net. Retrieved: July 18, 2022.

Specifications

File:Air-ftd-md90-02-ar-8.jpg engine powering the MD-90]]

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" ! Variant{{cite news \|url= http://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/company/about_bca/startup/pdf/historical/md90-passenger.pdf \|title= MD-90 \|work= Startup \|publisher= Boeing \|date= June 1, 2007}} ! MD-90-30 ! MD-90-30{{abbr\|ER\|Extended Range}}
Cockpit crew \| colspan="2" \|Two
Seating, 2–class \| colspan=2 \| 153–158: 12J@36{{abbr\|"\|inches}} + 141/146Y@31-33"
Seating, 1–class \| colspan=2 \| 163-172Y@29–33"
Cargo \| {{cvt\|1300\|cuft\|1\|lk=on}} \| {{cvt\|1177\|cuft\|1}}
Length \| colspan=2 \| {{cvt\|152.6\|ft\|2\|lk=on}}
Fuselage \| colspan=2 \| {{cvt\|131.6*142\|in\|cm\|1}} width × height[https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/commercial/airports/acaps/md90.pdf#page=17 MD-90-30 AIRPLANE CHARACTERISTICS FOR AIRPORT PLANNING p. 2–3], [https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/commercial/airports/acaps/md90.pdf#page=22 p. 2–8]. Boeing
Wingspan \| colspan=2 \| {{cvt\|107.8\|ft\|2}}
Height \| colspan=2 \| {{cvt\|30.6\|ft\|2}}
MTOW \| {{cvt\|156000\|lb\|0\|lk=on}} \| {{cvt\|166000\|lb\|0}}
Empty weight \| {{cvt\|88200\|lb\|0}} \| {{cvt\|88400\|lb\|0}}{{efn\|with aux fuel tank: {{cvt\|89188\|lb\|0}}}}
Max. payload \| {{cvt\|{{#expr:130000-88200}}\|lb\|0}} \| {{cvt\|{{#expr:132000-88400}}\|lb\|0}}
Fuel capacity \| colspan=2 \| {{cvt\|39128\|lb\|0}}{{efn\|with aux fuel tank: {{cvt\|42913\|lb\|0}}}}
Turbofan engines (2×) \| colspan=2 \| IAE V2525-D5 or V2528-D5
Unit thrust \| colspan=2 \| {{cvt\|25000-28000\|lbf\|kN\|2\|lk=on}}
VMO \| colspan=2 \| {{cvt\|0.84\|Mach\|altitude_ft=27240\|knots km/h mph\|0\|lk=on}} at {{cvt\|27240\|ft\|0}}{{cite web \|url= http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/81bb7f7f3caf760686257ca80068d081/$FILE/A6WE_Rev_30.pdf \|title= Type Certificate Data Sheet \|publisher= FAA \|date= March 25, 2014 \|access-date= November 21, 2017 \|archive-date= December 28, 2016 \|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161228113242/http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/81bb7f7f3caf760686257ca80068d081/$FILE/A6WE_Rev_30.pdf \|url-status= dead }}
Cruise speed \| colspan=2 \|{{cvt\|0.76\|Mach\|altitude_m=10600\|knots kph mph\|0}} at {{cvt\|10600\|m\|0\|order=flip}}{{cite magazine \|url= https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1989/1989%20-%203788.html \|title= Douglas uses MD-80 to speed MD-90 \|author= John Bailey \|magazine= Flight International \|date= 6 December 1989}}{{cite book \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nCFYdB2H05UC&pg=PA586 \|title=Air Transportation: 1903–2003 \|edition=14th \|pages=586–588 \|year=2003 \|lccn=2002105811 \|isbn=0-7872-8881-0 \|given=Robert M. \|surname=Kane \|publisher=Kendall Hunt \|oclc=50695027}}
Ceiling \| colspan=2 \|{{cvt\|37000\|ft\|0}}
Range, 153 pax \| {{cvt\|2045\|nmi\|0}} \| {{cvt\|2237\|nmi\|0}}{{efn\|{{cvt\|2455\|nmi\|0}} with extra {{cvt\|565\|USgal\|L}} auxiliary fuel tank}}
Takeoff runway \| colspan=2 \| {{cvt\|7000\|ft\|0}} at 156,000 lb, ISA, SL{{cite web \|url= http://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/commercial/airports/acaps/md90.pdf \|title= MD-90-30 airplane characteristics for airport planning \|publisher= Boeing \|date= Oct 2002}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

! Variant{{cite news |url= http://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/company/about_bca/startup/pdf/historical/md90-passenger.pdf |title= MD-90 |work= Startup |publisher= Boeing |date= June 1, 2007}}

! MD-90-30

! MD-90-30{{abbr|ER|Extended Range}}

Cockpit crew

| colspan="2" |Two

Seating, 2–class

| colspan=2 | 153–158: 12J@36{{abbr|"|inches}} + 141/146Y@31-33"

Seating, 1–class

| colspan=2 | 163-172Y@29–33"

Cargo

| {{cvt|1300|cuft|1|lk=on}}

| {{cvt|1177|cuft|1}}

Length

| colspan=2 | {{cvt|152.6|ft|2|lk=on}}

Fuselage

| colspan=2 | {{cvt|131.6*142|in|cm|1}} width × height[https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/commercial/airports/acaps/md90.pdf#page=17 MD-90-30 AIRPLANE CHARACTERISTICS FOR AIRPORT PLANNING p. 2–3], [https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/commercial/airports/acaps/md90.pdf#page=22 p. 2–8]. Boeing

Wingspan

| colspan=2 | {{cvt|107.8|ft|2}}

Height

| colspan=2 | {{cvt|30.6|ft|2}}

MTOW

| {{cvt|156000|lb|0|lk=on}}

| {{cvt|166000|lb|0}}

Empty weight

| {{cvt|88200|lb|0}}

| {{cvt|88400|lb|0}}{{efn|with aux fuel tank: {{cvt|89188|lb|0}}}}

Max. payload

| {{cvt|{{#expr:130000-88200}}|lb|0}}

| {{cvt|{{#expr:132000-88400}}|lb|0}}

Fuel capacity

| colspan=2 | {{cvt|39128|lb|0}}{{efn|with aux fuel tank: {{cvt|42913|lb|0}}}}

Turbofan engines (2×)

| colspan=2 | IAE V2525-D5 or V2528-D5

Unit thrust

| colspan=2 | {{cvt|25000-28000|lbf|kN|2|lk=on}}

VMO

| colspan=2 | {{cvt|0.84|Mach|altitude_ft=27240|knots km/h mph|0|lk=on}} at {{cvt|27240|ft|0}}{{cite web |url= http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/81bb7f7f3caf760686257ca80068d081/$FILE/A6WE_Rev_30.pdf |title= Type Certificate Data Sheet |publisher= FAA |date= March 25, 2014 |access-date= November 21, 2017 |archive-date= December 28, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161228113242/http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/81bb7f7f3caf760686257ca80068d081/$FILE/A6WE_Rev_30.pdf |url-status= dead }}

Cruise speed

| colspan=2 |{{cvt|0.76|Mach|altitude_m=10600|knots kph mph|0}} at {{cvt|10600|m|0|order=flip}}{{cite magazine |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1989/1989%20-%203788.html |title= Douglas uses MD-80 to speed MD-90 |author= John Bailey |magazine= Flight International |date= 6 December 1989}}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nCFYdB2H05UC&pg=PA586 |title=Air Transportation: 1903–2003 |edition=14th |pages=586–588 |year=2003 |lccn=2002105811 |isbn=0-7872-8881-0 |given=Robert M. |surname=Kane |publisher=Kendall Hunt |oclc=50695027}}

Ceiling

| colspan=2 |{{cvt|37000|ft|0}}

Range, 153 pax

| {{cvt|2045|nmi|0}}

| {{cvt|2237|nmi|0}}{{efn|{{cvt|2455|nmi|0}} with extra {{cvt|565|USgal|L}} auxiliary fuel tank}}

Takeoff runway

| colspan=2 | {{cvt|7000|ft|0}} at 156,000 lb, ISA, SL{{cite web |url= http://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/commercial/airports/acaps/md90.pdf |title= MD-90-30 airplane characteristics for airport planning |publisher= Boeing |date= Oct 2002}}

References

Sources

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
{{cite magazine |magazine=Flight International |title=Smooth operator |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1993/1993%20-%201316.html |date=June 9–15, 1993 |pages=45–48, 50 |given=Guy |surname=Norris |others=Photographs by Mark Wagner. Cutaway drawing by John Marsden.}}

External links

[http://www.boeing.com/history/products/md-80-and-md-90-commercial-transport.page MD-90/MD-80 history page on Boeing.com]
[http://www.airliners.net/aircraft-data/mcdonnell-douglas-md-90/110 MD-90 page on Airliners.net]

Category:1990s United States airliners

MD-090

Category:Twinjets

Category:T-tail aircraft

Category:Low-wing aircraft

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1993

Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear