Spanish Air crash MD-80 should never fly again?

Question

to start the MD-80 series of aircraft has a poor safety record with numerous crashes the main problem is its prone to metal fatigue why would span air use this piece of c**p over a Boeing 737 or a Tu 154

Answer 1

You forgot to add 'In my opinion' before those made up facts you've posted.

Evidence please.

Answer 2

Uh, no. The MD-80 does not have a "poor" record.

Answer 3

I agree with most people's sentiments on this issue.  However, on this occasion, it seems that it might be a maintenance error.  I believe I heard that one of the engines had been reported as over-heating and that it had been rectified.  My bet is the job was only half done.

The only good thing to come out of this tragedy is that both the voice recorder and the flight data recorder were recovered and these, together with eye-witness reports will certainly lead to the cause of the disaster.  

My sympathies go out to relatives and friends of the victims.    

Answer 4

Sorry, but the facts simply don't support your contention that the MD-80 is "prone to metal fatigue" or that it has "numerous crashes". I would like to see what data you used to draw that conclusion.

I would also like to point out to everyone that the cause of the crash has not been determined and probably won't be for months. The cause could have nothing to do with the aircraft being an MD-80. It could conceivably have been an engine problem, pilot error, or many other things. Let's not jump to conclusions.

For the record, the MD-80/90 series aircraft have a hull loss rate of 0.48 per one million departures - extremely low by any measure. In fact, that is less than some other aircraft in common use, including the 747-400 and A340. It is comparable to the 737-300/400/500 and much lower than many retired aircraft that were once commonly used such as the 727, DC-10, and A-300.

No airline would use the TU-154 in place of the MD-80 unless they were too desperately poor to fly anything else. The fuel consumption is far too high and it requires a three-person cockpit crew. Very few airlines still fly it because the operating costs are too high and they cannot be competitive with airlines using western-built aircraft.

Answer 5

That particular plane certainly won't

Answer 6

That airline is a loser and likely cannot afford better planes.  It is owned by SAS (Scandinavian).  They have tried to sell it but there were no bidders.  The MD 80 is an old work horse and is safe only if the maintenance is good.  In this case they aborted the first take-off.  It was a pilot error to take off.  If they had done the appropriate maintenance work required the crash could have been avoided.  Too bad people are in such a hurry and make bad decisions.  We should know soon if my assessment is correct.  I do agree that these planes have a deadly record over many years.

Answer 7

Back in the 1960's at a Lockheed Electra crash site, a Congressman named "X" walked up to the hole in the ground where the aircraft was embedded, and announced to the press and everyone in the area that the cause of the crash was propeller metal fatigue. The propellers were not visible, and turned out not to be the cause.

Congratulations! You just "X"ed.

Answer 8

SpanAir have had money problems over the past few years. They can't really afford the replace their fleet, and nobody want to buy ageing MD-80's. So they are stuck with them.

My thoughts are with the families of those involved.

Answer 9

Pratt and Witney again-overlong periods between properly conducted services is having its effects as airlines become more stretched trying to save pennies,these aircraft should all be grounded and a thorough stress and fracture testing examination conducted.It sounds as though there have been wiring design faults before as well.

Answer 10

I know the US airlines that fly that type of aircraft are planning on getting rid of it.  American Airlines will be phasing that type of aircraft out within the next year or two, and I believe Delta and Alaska Airlines as well.  Besides having safety and maintenance issues, the MD-80 series of planes are pretty fuel inefficient and just plain old and dingy. Some of these planes are at least as old as I am (I'm 27).  

Just an example of how old these planes are - American Airlines acquired most of their MD-80s when they took over TWA in 2001, and TWA got them when they took over Ozark Airlines in the mid 1980s... and they're still in service.  

These aircraft should be replaced mostly with newer models of the Boeing 737 or Airbus 320 aircraft.