McDonnell Douglas DC-9-40

The stretched narrow-body built for higher-capacity short-haul service.

Overview

McDonnell Douglas United States ICAO: DC94 1965–1982 $5.2 million (1972)

The McDonnell Douglas DC-9-40 was a lengthened variant of the DC-9 family. Introduced in the late 1960s, it offered increased seating for short- and medium-haul routes. The aircraft became widely used by regional and mainline carriers.

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Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × JT8D-17
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
2 × 16,000 lbf · 71 kN
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
125
Crew
—
Cabin width
10 ft 3 in  ·  3.12 m
Cabin height
6 ft 9 in  ·  2.05 m
Cabin length
80 ft 9 in  ·  24.60 m
Exterior length
125 ft 7 in  ·  38.28 m
Tail height
28 ft 7 in  ·  8.70 m
Fuselage diameter
11 ft 0 in  ·  3.35 m
Wing span
93 ft 4 in  ·  28.44 m
Baggage volume
1,021 ft³  ·  28.9 m³
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
114,000 lb  ·  51,500 kg
Max landing weight
102,000 lb  ·  46,300 kg
Max payload
31,700 lb  ·  14,400 kg
Fuel capacity
3,700 gal · 13,900 L · 11,100 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
485 kt  ·  558 mph  ·  898 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
131 kt  ·  151 mph  ·  243 km/h
Range
1,200 nm  ·  1,380 mi  ·  2,220 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
35,000 ft  ·  10,700 m
Rate of climb
3,000 ft/min  ·  15 m/s
Takeoff distance
6,550 ft  ·  2,000 m
Landing distance
4,900 ft  ·  1,500 m
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SAS DC 9-41

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Operational Context

McDonnell Douglas DC-9-40 — stretched narrow-body twinjet

The DC-9-40 first flew in 1967 and entered service in 1968. It retained the rear-mounted engine configuration and T-tail of earlier DC-9 models. The fuselage stretch allowed additional passenger capacity without major aerodynamic changes.

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbofan engines producing approximately 14,500 pounds of thrust (64 kN) each, the DC-9-40 cruised at around 450 knots (833 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeded 110,000 pounds (49,895 kg). Seating typically ranged from 110 to 125 passengers.

The DC-9-40 served airlines globally for decades. Many aircraft were later converted for cargo or charter use. The model contributed to the success of the DC-9 family.