ROBERT HODGSON MEMORIAL COLLECTION
No. 8050. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (HB-INV c/n 49359) Odette Airways
Photographed at Zurich, Switzerland, September 8, 2004, by Robert Hodgson

McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83

03/31/2011. Remarks by Jack McKillop: "This aircraft was built as a Model DC-9-81, and received the marketing designation MD-81. The DC-9-81s were certified at a maximum gross weight of 140,000 lbs (63,503 kg) but later versions were certified at 142,000 lbs (64,410 kg). Most DC-9-81s were powered by 18,500 lb (8,391 kg) st Pratt & Whitney JT8D-209 turbofans however it was also certified to operate with higher thrust JT8D engines.

This aircraft rolled off the assembly line on February 15, 1987 and delivered to Swissair Schweizerische Luftverkehr AG of Zurich, Switzerland on March 18, 1987, registered HB-INV and named 'Dubendorf.' Sold to the aircraft lessor Orient Aircraft Company on March 24th, it was then leased to Swissair on the same day.

In October 1995, it was converted to a DC-9-82, marketing designation MD-82. Most DC-9-82s were powered by 20,000 lb (9,072 kg) st Pratt & Whitney JT8D-217 or JT8D-217A turbofan engines which gave improved airfield performance especially when operating from hot and high airports. These aircraft were certified for a maximum gross weight of 147,000 lbs (66,678 kg). After conversion, Swissair sub-leased the plane to Crossair of Basel ,Switzerland from October 31, 1995.

In February 1997, this aircraft was converted to a DC-9-83, marketing designation MD-83, by installing 21,000 lb (9,525 kg) st Pratt & Whitney JT8D-219 engines and increasing fuel capacity by installing two 590 gal (2,233 liter) tanks in the cargo compartment which increased the maximum gross take off weight to 160,000 lbs (72,575 kg).

This DC-9-83 was sold to Flighlease AG in December 1997 and the sublease with Crossair continued until they bought it in December 1999. The aircraft was sold to Odette Airways of Zurich on January 21, 2002 and leased to Crossair until February 2, 2002 when it was returned to Odette.

In April 2004, it was sold to Orest-Immorent Leasing and leased to Odette Airways until April 2005 and then sold to MAP Jet (MAP Executive Flight Service) of Vienna, Austria, registered OE-LOG and operated for Aviajet of Dublin, Iriland until November 2006. The last report is that this aircraft was derelict at Sturup Airport, Malmo, Sweden."


Created August 15, 2008