McDonnell Douglas C-9 Nightingale

The aeromedical transport built to support military medical evacuation missions.

Overview

McDonnell Douglas United States ICAO: DC9 1968–1982 $5.2 million (1972)

The McDonnell Douglas C-9 Nightingale was developed as a dedicated aeromedical evacuation aircraft for the U.S. Air Force. Based on the DC-9 airliner, it entered service in the late 1960s. The aircraft provided rapid long-distance medical transport.

Live Fleet Activity (DC9)

📡

Fetching live data…

Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
2 × 14,500 lbf · 64 kN
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
84
Crew
—
Cabin width
8 ft 9 in  ·  2.66 m
Cabin height
6 ft 9 in  ·  2.05 m
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
119 ft 3 in  ·  36.36 m
Tail height
27 ft 11 in  ·  8.50 m
Fuselage diameter
10 ft 10 in  ·  3.30 m
Wing span
93 ft 4 in  ·  28.44 m
Baggage volume
893 ft³  ·  25.3 m³
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
110,000 lb  ·  50,000 kg
Max landing weight
99,000 lb  ·  44,900 kg
Max payload
30,100 lb  ·  13,700 kg
Fuel capacity
3,700 gal · 13,900 L · 11,100 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
500 kt  ·  575 mph  ·  926 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
127 kt  ·  146 mph  ·  235 km/h
Range
1,739 nm  ·  2,000 mi  ·  3,220 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
37,000 ft  ·  11,300 m
Rate of climb
3,000 ft/min  ·  15 m/s
Takeoff distance
6,900 ft  ·  2,100 m
Landing distance
4,900 ft  ·  1,500 m
(/) tap to zoom
(/)
C-9B Skytrain II from the Conquistadors of Fleet Logistics Squadron Fifty Seven.

Live fleet activity details

📡
Fetching live data…
All Active Aircraft Types
Flight Airline Reg Alt Speed Heading V/S

Operational Context

McDonnell Douglas C-9 Nightingale — military aeromedical transport

The C-9 first flew in 1968 and entered service shortly thereafter. It was derived from the DC-9-30 airframe and modified with medical equipment and stretcher capacity. The aircraft retained the rear-mounted twin-engine configuration and T-tail.

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbofan engines producing approximately 14,500 pounds of thrust (64 kN) each, the C-9 cruised at around 450 knots (835 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeded 110,000 pounds (49,900 kg). The cabin could accommodate dozens of litters and medical personnel depending on configuration.

The C-9 served for decades in aeromedical evacuation and transport roles. It was gradually retired in favor of newer platforms. The Nightingale remains an important chapter in military medical aviation history.