McDonnell Douglas DC-10
The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is a three-engine wide-body aircraft developed for medium- and long-range passenger and cargo service. Its centre engine is mounted at the base of the vertical tail.[1]
Specifications
The principal family-level specifications are shown in the information panel. Values vary by variant, cabin, engine and operating rules; the linked manufacturer material is the controlling reference.
Development history
McDonnell Douglas designed the DC-10 after American Airlines requested a wide-body smaller than the Boeing 747. The prototype flew in 1970 and American introduced it in 1971. Longer-range and higher-weight versions followed before production ended in 1988.[1]
Variants
The domestic DC-10-10 was followed by the -15, long-range -30 and -40, plus passenger and freighter subvariants. Boeing later supported MD-10 conversions with a modern two-crew flight deck.
Current and former operators
Current specialist operators include 10 Tanker Air Carrier and the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital using converted aircraft. Former operators include American, United, Northwest, KLM, Swissair, Japan Airlines, FedEx Express and many military KC-10 units.
Engines
Most DC-10s use General Electric CF6 engines. The DC-10-40 uses Pratt & Whitney JT9Ds, while the tail engine retains a straight-through installation.
Orders and deliveries
McDonnell Douglas built 386 commercial DC-10s. The related KC-10 military tanker is counted separately.[1]
Accidents and incidents
The type's record includes United Airlines Flight 232 in 1989. An uncontained tail-engine failure disabled all three hydraulic systems; the crew used differential thrust to reach Sioux City, where the aircraft crash-landed.[2]
Compare with
Direct primary sources
Select products in Boeing history — Boeing
United Airlines Flight 232 accident report — National Transportation Safety Board