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Aircraft record

N781NC1979 Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-51

DeregisteredUnclaimedSource: FAA, updated Oct 20, 2026

This N-number isn't registered right now. Below is its last known registration, canceled Jul 26, 2019.

Safety record in brief:No NTSB accidents or incidents since 198238 ADs may apply105 service difficulty reports

Registration
Deregistered
Last based in
Atlanta, GA
owner city / state
Engine
JT8D-17 SER · 16,000 lb thrust
P & W
Owners
1
since 2009
NTSB events
None
since 1982
ADs may apply
38
confirm with A&P
Service reports
105
since 1995

Registration

FAA Aircraft Registry · Oct 20, 2026
Last registered owner
Delta Air Lines INC
Owner type
Corporation
City, state
Atlanta, GA
Certificate issued
Dec 31, 2009
Canceled
Jul 26, 2019
Airworthiness
Standard · Transport
Airworthiness date
Dec 27, 1979

We never show street addresses, even though they appear in the public FAA file. Individual owners are shown by city and state only.

Airframe & engine

FAA Registry + type data

Airframe

Manufacturer
Mcdonnell Douglas
Model
DC-9-51
Year
1979
Serial number
48121
Aircraft type
Fixed wing multi engine
Category
Land
Certification
Type Certificated
Seats
139
Engines
2
Max takeoff weight
20,000 and over lb
Mode S code
AA956C

Engine

Make and model
P & W Jt8d-17 Ser
Type
Turbo-jet
Power
16,000 lb thrust

Total time and engine hours aren't public. They appear here once the owner adds logbooks.

Ownership history

Ownership history from FAA records
  1. 2009 – 2019Delta Air Lines INCAtlanta, GA

Individual owners are shown by city and state only.

Safety record

NTSB · Oct 15, 2026 · FAA ADs · Oct 20, 2026 · SDRs · Oct 16, 2026

NTSB events (0)

No NTSB accidents or incidents found for this airframe since 1982.

ADs published since 1998 that may apply (38)

These match the airframe or engine model. Whether each one applies, and whether it's been complied with, depends on serial numbers, equipment and logbook entries. Applicability must be confirmed by a mechanic against the aircraft's records.

ADSubjectEffectiveApplies to
2010-25-04McDonnell Douglas Corporation Model DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9-50 Series Airplanes…Jan 11, 2011Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per Boeing Service Bulletins DC9-28-212 and MD90-28-010, both Revision 1, dated June 16, 2009
2010-23-10McDonnell Douglas Corporation Model DC-9-14, DC-9-15, and DC-9-15F Airplanes; and Model…Dec 14, 2010Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per Boeing Service Bulletin DC9-57-223, Revision 1, dated August 13, 2009
2010-10-20McDonnell Douglas Corporation Model DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9-50 Series AirplanesJun 21, 2010Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per Boeing Service Bulletin DC9-28-227, dated April 23, 2009
2009-24-21McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-14, DC-9-15, and DC-9-15F Airplanes; and McDonnell Douglas…Jan 8, 2010Airframe (DC-9-51)
2009-03-03McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-14, DC-9-15, and DC-9-15F Airplanes; and Model DC-9-20…Mar 31, 2009Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per Boeing Service Bulletin DC9-28-216, dated March 18, 2008
Show all 38 ADs
ADSubjectEffectiveApplies to
2008-18-06McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, DC-9-20, DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9-50 Series…Jan 7, 2009Airframe (DC-9-51)Only with: Equipped with a tail cone evacuation slide container installed in accordance with STC ST735SO.
2008-11-15McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 Airplanes; Model DC-9-10 Series Airplanes; Model DC-9-20…Jul 3, 2008Airframe (DC-9-51)
2007-17-18McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes; Model DC-9-81…Oct 2, 2007Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per Boeing Service Bulletin DC9-30-097, Revision 2, dated May 27, 2005
2006-21-06McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10 Series Airplanes; DC-9-20 Series Airplanes; DC-9-30…Nov 29, 2006Airframe (DC-9-51)
2006-18-05McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-14, DC-9-15, and DC-9-15F Airplanes; Model DC-9-21…Oct 11, 2006Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A190, Revision 2, dated October 12, 2004
2006-18-02McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series AirplanesOct 4, 2006Airframe (DC-9-51)
2006-13-18McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-31, DC-9-32, DC-9-32F, DC-9-33F, DC-9-34, and DC-9-34F…Aug 9, 2006Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per Boeing Service Bulletin DC9-28-214, dated December 16, 2005
2006-10-14McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, DC-9-20, DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9-50 Series…Jun 21, 2006Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per Boeing Service Bulletin 717-52-0007, Revision 1 (for Model 717-200 airplanes). Only with: All DC-9, MD-80, MD-88 and MD-90-30 airplanes; Model 717-200 airplanes only as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 717-52-0007, Revision 1.
2006-07-08McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, DC-9-20, DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9-50 Series AirplanesMay 5, 2006Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 53-168, dated November 17, 1983
2006-06-04McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40 and -50 Series Airplanes, and Model…Apr 20, 2006Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per Boeing Service Bulletin DC9-53-179, Revision 2, dated May 27, 2004
2005-13-18McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10 Series Airplanes; Model DC-9-20 Series Airplanes; Model…Aug 1, 2005Airframe (DC-9-51)Only with: Equipped with SAFT America Inc. nickel cadmium batteries P/N 021929-000 or P/N 021904-000 manufactured before May 2003.
2004-25-14McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-14, DC-9-15, and DC-9-15F Airplanes; DC-9-20, DC-9-30…Jan 20, 2005Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per Boeing Service Bulletin DC9-57-222, dated September 18, 2002
2004-18-11McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-14, DC-9-15, and DC-9-15F Airplanes; and Model DC-9-20…Oct 13, 2004Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per Boeing Service Bulletin DC9-57-225, dated December 10, 2002
2004-07-04McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-14, DC-9-15, DC-9-15F, DC-9-31, DC-9-32, DC-9-32 (VC-9C)…May 5, 2004Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-33A114, Revision 03, dated January 16, 2003
2003-03-15 R1Various Boeing and McDonnell Douglas Transport Category AirplanesDec 22, 2003Airframe (DC-9-51)
2003-09-07McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes; and DC-9-81…Jun 5, 2003Airframe (DC-9-51)
2003-03-15Various Boeing and McDonnell Douglas Transport Category AirplanesMar 7, 2003Airframe (DC-9-51)
2002-26-08McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, DC-9-20, DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9-50 Series…Feb 10, 2003Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A189, dated December 12, 2001
2002-26-10McDonnell Douglas DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series AirplanesFeb 10, 2003Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-53-277, Revision 01, dated June 16, 1999
2002-26-13McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-11, -12, -13, -14, -15, and -15F Airplanes; Model DC-9-21…Feb 6, 2003Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A191, Revision 01, dated January 9, 2002
2002-25-04McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes; and C-9…Jan 17, 2003Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A171, Revision 01, dated September 21, 1999
2002-21-09McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series AirplanesNov 29, 2002Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per Boeing Service Bulletin DC9-53-290, Revision 01, dated March 15, 2002
2002-04-01McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9, DC-9-80, and C-9 Series Airplanes; Model MD-88 Airplanes…Mar 28, 2002Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per Boeing Service Bulletins DC9-32-315 and MD90-32-033, Revision 01, dated October 24, 2000. Only with: Equipped with upper lock links P/N 3914464-1, 3914464-501, or 3914464-503.
2001-20-15McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9 Series Airplanes and MD-88 AirplanesOct 26, 2001Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A193, dated July 31, 2001
2001-14-02McDonnell Douglas DC-9-51 and DC-9-83 Series Airplanes Modified by Supplemental Type…Aug 16, 2001Airframe (DC-9-51)Only with: Modified by Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA8026NM.
2000-08-18McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9 Series Airplanes, and Model MD-88 and MD-90-30 AirplanesJun 13, 2000Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC9-25A357, Revision 02; McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-25A019
99-08-05 R1McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9 and C-9 (Military) Series AirplanesMay 12, 1999Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-53-267, dated October 20, 1997
99-08-05McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9 and C-9 (Military) Series AirplanesMay 12, 1999Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-53-267, dated October 20, 1997
98-09-19McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9, DC-9-80, and C-9 (Military) Series Airplanes, and Model…Jun 3, 1998Airframe (DC-9-51)Only with: Converted or first production non-regulating shutoff valve AlliedSignal Aerospace P/N 979410-1-1 or 979410-2-1 installed on the engine starter.
97-02-08 R1McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9, DC-9-80 and C-9 (Military) Series Airplanes, and Model…Mar 4, 1997Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-27-300, Revision 02, dated June 29, 1995
97-02-08McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9, DC-9-80 and C-9 (Military) Series Airplanes, and Model…Mar 4, 1997Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-27-300, Revision 02, dated June 29, 1995
96-07-51McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9 Series AirplanesApr 15, 1996Airframe (DC-9-51)Certain serial numbers: DC-9 001–631. Only with: Limited by fuselage numbers 001 through 631 inclusive.
95-02-02McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9 and DC-9- 80 Series Airplanes, Model MD-88 Airplanes, and…Feb 21, 1995Airframe (DC-9-51)Serial numbers per McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 53-269, dated August 11, 1994

AI-extracted — verify against original. Matched from each AD's applicability section; ADs replaced by a later AD are left out.

Service Difficulty Reports (105)

Reports of failures and defects that operators and repair stations sent to the FAA since 1995. A report describes one finding; it is not an accident.

  • Lights · power supply · inoperativeSep 26, 2011

    MAINTENANCE FOUND ROWS 9 THROUGH 13 EMERGENCY ESCAPE PATH LIGHTING INOPERATIVE. LEFT FORWARD OVERWING EMERGENCY EXIT POWER SUPPLY WAS FOUND INOPERATIVE. REPLACED SAME. OPERATIONAL CHECK WAS GOOD.

    From FAA Service Difficulty Reports; matched by N-number and serial number.
  • Stabilizers · fairing · damagedAug 2, 2011

    PER ERA 495027, REPAIR MUST BE COMPLETED ON THE VERTICAL STABILIZER UPPER TIP FAIRING ON THE LHS. ACCOMPLISH SECTION I TEMPORARY REPAIR PRIOR TO FLIGHT FROM DAY. ACCOMPLISH SECTION II PERMANENT REPAIR NTE THE ONE CYCLE MAINTENANCE FERRY FLIGHT FROM DAY TO ATL. ASSOCIATED ER/A 13-495027 ADDED FOR…

    From FAA Service Difficulty Reports; matched by N-number and serial number.
  • Lights · wire · brokenJul 29, 2011

    MAINTENANCE FOUND SEAT 9D EMERGENCY ESCAPE PATH LIGHT INOPERATIVE AND BROKEN. MAINTENANCE REPLACED THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND FOUND ONE WIRE IN THE SEAT WIRE HARNESS ASSEMBLY BROKEN OFF FROM CONNECTOR. MAINTENANCE REPLACED THE CONNECTOR AT SEAT 9D AND THE OPERATIONAL CHECK WAS GOOD. AIRCRAFT RETURNED…

    From FAA Service Difficulty Reports; matched by N-number and serial number.
Show all 10 reports
  • Air conditioning and pressurization · unknown · smokeApr 30, 2011

    AIRCRAFT 9872, ON LEFT, SINGLE ENGINE TAXI WITH THE APU ON, THE AFT FLIGHT ATTENDANT REPORTED SMOKE IN THE CABIN AT GATE. CREW SHUTDOWN PACKS AND APU AND, PER QUICK REFERENCE HANDBOOK, PASSENGERS WERE DEPLANED. LINE MAINTENANCE RAN APU FOR 20 MINUTES, THEN INSPECTED APU FOR OIL LEAKS. NO LEAKS…

    From FAA Service Difficulty Reports; matched by N-number and serial number.
  • Lights · wire · brokenJun 28, 2010

    DURING LINE CHECK, MX FOUND EMERGENCY LIGHT AT ROW 18 INOP. MX FOUND BROKEN WIRE AT SPLICE. HARNESS WAS REPLACED IAW MM. OPS CHECK OF LIGHT, NOW CHECK GOOD.

    From FAA Service Difficulty Reports; matched by N-number and serial number.
  • Lights · wire · brokenMay 24, 2010

    DURING LINE CHECK MX FOUND EMERGENCY LIGHTS IN TAIL CONE WALKWAY INOP. MX REPAIRED BROKEN WIRE IAW SWPM 20-10-03. OPS CHECK OF LIGHTS NOW CHECK GOOD.

    From FAA Service Difficulty Reports; matched by N-number and serial number.
  • Fuselage · skin · roughMar 16, 2010

    DURING H-CHECK, FOUND CAPTAINS PRIMARY STATIC PORT SKIN NOT SMOOTH ENOUGH INSIDE CRITICAL AREA. REPAIRED PER BOEING DRAWING SG09530001 AND SRM 51-10-4, 51-10-3.

    From FAA Service Difficulty Reports; matched by N-number and serial number.
  • Windows · retainer · crackedMar 15, 2010

    DURING "H" CHECK FOUND CRACK IN UPPER CORNER OF LT COCKPIT SLIDING WINDOW RETAINER. REPAIRED PER SRM 51-10-4, 51-30-5, 56-01-3.

    From FAA Service Difficulty Reports; matched by N-number and serial number.
  • Fuselage · frame · corrodedMar 11, 2010

    DURING "H" CHECK FOUND CORROSION ON FRAME AT BS 1136 L28L TO L28R. REPAIRED PER SRM 53-03-2A.

    From FAA Service Difficulty Reports; matched by N-number and serial number.
  • Fuselage · shear tie · crackedMar 11, 2010

    DURING "H" CHECK FOUND CRACK ON FRAME SHEAR TIE AT BS 1116 BETWEEN L15R AND L16R. REPAIRED PER SRM 51-01 AND 51-30-5.

    From FAA Service Difficulty Reports; matched by N-number and serial number.

Showing the 10 most recent of 105 reports.

Related aircraft

Show all 8 related aircraft

Sources

  • FAA Aircraft RegistryRegistration, owner city and state, airframe, engineupdated Oct 20, 2026
  • NTSB accident and incident databaseAccidents and incidents since 1982updated Oct 15, 2026
  • FAA Airworthiness Directives (Federal Register)ADs published since 1998updated Oct 20, 2026
  • FAA Service Difficulty ReportsReports since 1995updated Oct 16, 2026

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