LoganFlyer

9252 has ferried to BYH:

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N952DN

N515CR

9207 to ferry to SBD today: https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/n907da

LoganFlyer

982 ferried to BYH today:

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N982DL

N515CR

9013 on its way to MZJ: https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/n913de

TimeKangaroo

906DL engine exploded in route from ATL to BWI. Seems like it is back in action, but wonder if this one could be on the way out soon.

AeRoSpaceman

From what I have read, they removed the engine from the aircraft at RDU and put it on a truck to ATL for inspection of why the cone failed. They either flew or trucked another engine to RDU and installed it on the plane as there wasn't any structural damage to the airframe.

ethernal

Yes, with the number of spare engines they surely have lying around now it should have no impact on the frame's planned usage (the engine that failed will of course likely never be used again). Engines have expensive maintenance as well, but what forces the retirement is the heavy MX on the airframe - those cost several millions of dollars - not the engine maintenance.

qukslvr619

Had not seen a formal retirement date previously, but it looks like DL is planning on retiring the MD90 by the end of 2022.
https://news.delta.com/delta-air-lin...er-2019-profit

A lot of people gripe about MD's being old, dirty, noisy, outdated, etc. Count me in the camp that will be sad to see them disappear from the skies. For me, there are few other aircraft types that I enjoy better than a ride on the MD80/90s; most other aircraft built in the same timeframe have been retired or refurbished, but these workhorses soldier on and retain pretty much the same configuration that they were delivered in so its a bit of a time warp to when flying was a different experience: meals in Y, IFE was looking out the window or listening to a portable CD player, seats weren't slimlines, lavs weren't microscopic...etc. Just an all around good ride in my opinion.

BenA

tnair1974

As recently as the beginning of this year, Delta was stating in internal memos/conferences that at least some stored MD-90s could return to service starting in early 2020. Up to now anyway, withdrawn MD-90s were generally being stored in flying condition. This said, I understand at least some of the Chinese built birds have entered the scrapping process.

My non-professional guess is that if any grounded MD-90s do fly with Delta again (a big if in light of recent news), it would be those that could undergo a relatively quick C check and have overhauled engines.

The stored planes that need a D check, along with the Chinese built planes, may likely never fly again.

Of course, updates from those that are much better in the know would be most welcomed .

tnair1974

A passenger took closeup video that's now all over the net. The footage show the center engine cone (if that's what you call it?) detached and being sucked against the blades, creating sparks and a terrible noise before the pilots shut down the engine. Turns out that on all JT8D engines, the center "cone" is not a "spinner" like on other jet powerplants but is stationary. The first row of fan blades are also stationary. I remember as a teen being seated just ahead of the JT8D engines on a NW DC-9 and being puzzled that the engine cone and forward blades weren't moving! I was also thankful it was a short flight as it sure was noisy being so close to the engine.

As Ben A mentioned earlier, the repaired plane departed RDU on a planned ferry flight back to ATL but had to divert yet again...this time to CLT. As of this evening (July 11), N906DL is still at CLT although now scheduled to ferry (again) to ATL. UPDATE: N906DL returned to service July 12 flying ATL-MIA.

n7371f

The M90's presently parked are now permanently retired. The large write down taken by DAL this past quarter was for the value of the parked planes.

tnair1974

Thanks for the information, even if it's a little sad. Hope to finally fly on an MD-90 before it's too late. They continue to be used ATL-SAT, but on my last trip to SAT the plane was switched to a 738 instead.

I presume that any heavy checks on the remaining MD-90s can be wrapped up for good in another year or so?

BradleyFlyer

I'm on one Friday ATL-BDL. If it wasn't for the constant MX delays, tiny bins, no TVs and deafening loudness, I would like them. However, for me, the negatives far outweigh the positives.

N515CR

985 ferried to BYH: https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/n985dl