# N8979E: 1968 Douglas DC-9-31, registration cancelled 2007-12-01 - Type: Cancelled registration (FAA registry, deregistered aircraft) - Cancelled: December 1, 2007 - Status when cancelled: Triennial form not returned - Airframe: [Douglas DC-9-31](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-9-31) (registry code 3022065) - Engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-1) (registry code 52044) - Data sheets: [TCDS A6WE](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A6WE), [TCDS E2EA](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/E2EA) (OpenAirDocs) - Serial number: 47328 - Year built: 1968 - Type of aircraft: Fixed wing multi engine - Engine type: Turbo-jet - Airworthiness: Standard, transport - Airworthiness date: October 11, 1968 - Certificate issued: August 2, 1994 - Last registry action: September 19, 2006 - Mode S code: AC62ED - Owner when cancelled: [Northwest Airlines Inc](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/NORTHWEST%20AIRLINES%20INC) - Location: [St Paul, MN](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/MN/St%20Paul) - Owner type: Corporation - Owner's area on the map: 44.8873° N, 93.1924° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at the center of ZIP code 55111, within about a mile (OpenAirDocs). The owner's mailing address, not where the aircraft was based - The mark today: https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8979E - FAA registry: https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=8979E - Page: https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8979E-2007-12-01 From the FAA registry file of October 29, 2026, cancelled registrations. Owners' street addresses are left out. The Mode S code belongs to the N-number, not the airframe. ADs and bulletins for the Douglas DC-9-31: https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-9-31.md ## Service difficulty reports (40) Matched to this aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model. - [SDR 0302069994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/0302069994), Nov 14, 2003: ODOR. DETECTED. AFTER TAKEOFF, THERE WAS A SMOKE ODOR IN THE AIRCRAFT AND THE SMOKE DETECTORS WERE SOUNDING. FLIGHT CREW DECLARED AN EMERGENCY, RETURNED TO DTW, AND LANDED WITH - [SDR 0104499994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/0104499994), Nov 19, 2001: TEE FITTING. CRACKED. During H ck at ATL, a tee at sta 756 floor beam outboard end LHS was found cracked. Material 7075-t6511 Aluminum. Repaired per EA 99-185274. - [SDR 0104289994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/0104289994), Nov 9, 2001: FLOORBEAM. CRACKED. DURING HCK IN ATL A CRACK WAS DISCOVERED IN THE WEB OF THE STA Y 237 FLOORBEAM AT X=7 LEFT. THE CRACK MEASURES 2.75 INCH IN LENGTH. MATERIAL 7075-T6511 ALUMINUM - [SDR 0104129994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/0104129994), Nov 8, 2001: PRESSURE PANEL. CRACKED. During Hck in ATL, a crack was found in the flight compartment horizontal pressure panel at station 105. The 1.5" crack is located at X=35. Material 0.040" thic - [SDR 0001899994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/0001899994), May 10, 2000: DOOR FRAME. CRACKED. FWD CARGO DOOR JAMB UPPER CORNER CRACKED OUT FASTENER HOLE AS MARKED. REPAIRED PER EM 5330-01130-2B AND EA 99-176486. - [SDR 9809289994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9809289994), May 15, 1998: CONNECTOR. LOOSE. DURING LINE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION, FOUND EMERGENCY LIGHT AT ROW12D INOPERATIVE. SECURED CONNECTOR. OPERATIONAL CHECK NORMAL. - [SDR 9723049994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9723049994), Dec 10, 1997: COMPRESSOR. STALLED. DURING TAKEOFF ROLL AT 80 KNOTS, THE LEFT ENGINE EXPERIENCED COMPRESSOR STALLS. CREW ABORTED TAKEOFF AND RETURNED TO THE GATE. MAINTENANCE INSPECTED THE LEFT EN - [SDR 9716909994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9716909994), Sep 7, 1997: BATTERY PACK. DISCHARGED. DURING LINE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION, FOUND AFT SECTION OF EMERGENCY LIGHTS BETWEEN ROWS 18 THRU 24 INOPERATIVE. REPLACED BATTERY PACK, OPERATIONAL CHECK NORMAL. - [SDR 9716429994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9716429994), Aug 30, 1997: SOCKET. MALFUNCTIONED. LANDING GEAR DOOR OPEN LIGHT REMAINED ON AFTER GEAR RETRACTION. FLIGHT RETURNED TO DTW AND LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. MAINTENANCE FOUND GEAR DOOR OPEN LIGHT SOCKE - [SDR 9712779994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9712779994), Jun 26, 1997: ANGLE. CRACKED. DURING L-CHECK, FOUND A CRACK IN THE LEFT AND RIGHT DORSAL FIN ATTACH ANGLE FS 1088. REPAIRED PER EA 99-113318. - [SDR 9712539994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9712539994), Jun 25, 1997: SLIDE. FAILED TEST. DURING PERIODIC CHECK, MAIN CABIN DOOR EVACUATION SLIDE FAILED BATTERY TEST. REPLACED SLIDE. - [SDR 9710279994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9710279994), May 25, 1997: BATTERY PACK. DISCHARGED. DURING LINE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION, FOUND NUMEROUS EMERGENCY LIGHT BATTERY PACKS INOPERATIVE. REPLACED BATTERY PACKS, OPERATIONAL CHECK NORMAL. - [SDR 9709309994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9709309994), May 8, 1997: DUCT. CRACKED. LOSS OF CABIN PRESSURE OCCURRED AT 35,000 FEET WITH CABIN PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SUCCESSFUL DESCENT WAS MADE TO 10,000 FEET AND PRESSURE CONTROL WA - [SDR 9707549994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9707549994), Apr 13, 1997: DOWNLOCK SWITCH. MALFUNCTIONED. DURING APPROACH, THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR GREEN LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE AFTER GEAR EXTENSION. CREW EXECUTED GO-AROUND PROCEDURES AND RECYCLED GEAR. NORMAL IN - [SDR 9706709994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9706709994), Mar 28, 1997: BATTERIES. DISCHARGED. DURING LINE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION, FOUND TAILCONE EMERGENCY TRACK LIGHTS AND RELEASE HANDLE LIGHTS INOPERATIVE. REPLACED BATTERIES AND POWER SUPPLY AND REPAIRE - [SDR 9705549994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9705549994), Mar 15, 1997: DOWNLOCK SWITCH. MALFUNCTIONED. ON APPROACH INTO MSP UPON GEAR EXTENSION, GEAR UNSAFE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH THREE GREEN LIGHTS. CYCLED GEAR AND INDICATIONS WERE NORMAL FOR APPR - [SDR 9700539994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9700539994), Jan 10, 1997: GEAR INDICATION. MALFUNCTIONED. NOSE LANDING GEAR GREEN LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE AFTER GEAR EXTENSION. RECYCLED GEAR AND NORMAL INDICATIONS WERE ACHIEVED. MAINTENANCE CHECKED SWITCH, WIRING AN - [SDR 9626679994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9626679994), Dec 18, 1996: DOWNLOCK SWITCH. FAILED. DURING APPROACH INTO MSO, NOSE LANDING GEAR GREEN LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE AFTER GEAR EXTENSION. RECYCLED GEAR AND NORMAL INDICATIONS WERE ACHIEVED. AIRCRAFT LA - [SDR 9609879994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9609879994), May 2, 1996: CSD. FAILED. RIGHT CSD OIL PRESSURE LOW LIGHT ILLUMINATED DURING TAKEOFF ROLL AT 80 KNOTS. ABORTED TAKEOFF AND RETURNED TO THE GATE. MAINTENANCE DEFERRED THE RIGHT GENERATOR - [SDR 9607589994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9607589994), Apr 3, 1996: CABLE. BROKEN. AFTER TAKEOFF, A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD FROM NOSE LANDING GEAR WHEELWELL AREA. FLIGHT RETURNED TO EWR AND LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. MAINTENANCE FOUND THE LEFT NOSE - [SDR 9604009994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9604009994), Feb 16, 1996: BATTERY PACK. DISCHARGED. DURING LINE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION, FOUND LEFT NACELLE EMERGENCY LIGHT INOPERATIVE. REPLACED BATTERY PACK AND OPERATIONAL CHECK NORMAL. - [SDR 9601319994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9601319994), Jan 21, 1996: BATTERY PACK. DISCHARGED. DURING LINE CHECK, FOUND TAILCONE EMERGENCY LIGHT INOPERATIVE. REPLACED THE BATTERY PACK AND OPERATIONAL CHECK GOOD. - [SDR 9516129994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9516129994), Oct 14, 1995: CONTROL VALVE. FAILED. DURING DESCENT, LANDING GEAR DOOR OPEN LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER EXTENDING LANDING GEAR. RECYCLED LANDING GEAR AND LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR DOOR REMAINED E - [SDR 9512979994](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9512979994), Aug 21, 1995: SKIN. DAMAGED. DURING ACCEPTANCE CHECK, FOUND RIGHT PYLON TRAILING EDGE SECTION LOWER SKIN TO SECOND RIB WITH ELEVEN LOOSE FASTENERS AT END OF RIB. REPAIRED LOWER SKIN SECTION - [SDR 9510999995](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9510999995), Jun 28, 1995: BULKHEAD. CRACKED. DURING ACCEPTANCE CHECK AND PRIOR TO SERVICE, FOUND A CRACK IN THE FUSELAGE TO BULKHEAD CLIP AT FS 965 JUST BELOW RADIAL 15. REPAIRED PER EA 99-92296. - [SDR 9510969995](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9510969995), Jun 15, 1995: SUPPORT. CRACKED. DURING ACCEPTANCE CHECK AND PRIOR TO SERVICE, FOUND A CRACK IN THE FS 1087 SUPPORT AT LONGERON 24L FORWARD FACE, FORWARD END. REPAIRED PER EA 99-92198. - [SDR 9510959995](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9510959995), Jun 15, 1995: SKIN. CRACKED. DURING ACCEPTANCE CHECK AND PRIOR TO SERVICE, FOUND A CRACK IN THE FUSELAGE SKIN AT FS 130, LEFT SIDE ABOVE THE CUSP. REPAIRED PER EA 99-93534. - [SDR 9509499995](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9509499995), Jun 12, 1995: FITTING. CRACKED. DURING ACCEPTANCE CHECK AND PRIOR TO SERVICE, FOUND CRACKS IN THE AFT CARGO DOOR FORWARD AND AFT NR 1 BEAM END FITTINGS. REPLACED THE FITTINGS (P/N 3914025-501 - [SDR 9510929995](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9510929995), Jun 6, 1995: BULKHEAD. CORRODED. DURING ACCEPTANCE CHECK AND PRIOR TO SERVICE, FOUND CORROSION ON THE FS 110 BULKHEAD FORWARD CAP AT APPROXIMATELY LONGERON 26R IN THE NOSE LANDING GEAR WELL. RE - [SDR 9510919995](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9510919995), Jun 6, 1995: SKIN. CORRODED. DURING ACCEPTANCE CHECK AND PRIOR TO SERVICE, FOUND CORROSION ON THE SKIN DOUBLER, LONGERON 23L BETWEEN FS 895 - 915. REPAIRED PER EA 99-92183. - [SDR 9510909995](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9510909995), Jun 3, 1995: YOKE. CORRODED. DURING ACCEPTANCE CHECK AND PRIOR TO SERVICE, FOUND CORROSION IN THE FASTENER HOLE FOR THE RIGHT ENGINE YOKE ISOLATOR MOUNT AT THE FORWARD SPAR. REPAIRED YOKE P - [SDR 9510889995](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9510889995), May 31, 1995: BULKHEAD. CORRODED. DURING ACCEPTANCE CHECK AND PRIOR TO SERVICE, FOUND CORROSION ON THE AFT CARGO, AFT BULKHEAD BETWEEN RBL 12 - RBL 36. REPAIRED PER EA 99-192235. - [SDR 9508829995](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9508829995), May 30, 1995: STUDS. CORRODED. DURING ACCEPTANCE CHECK AND PRIOR TO SERVICE,FOUND CORROSION ON THE LEFT WING AILERON A BRACKET ATTACH STUDS FOR HINGES NR 1 TO NR 4. REPLACED STUDS PER MM 20-1 - [SDR 9507709995](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9507709995), May 8, 1995: FITTING. CORRODED. DURING ACCEPTANCE CHECK AND PRIOR TO SERVICE, FOUND CORROSION IN LONGERON 23L END FITTING AT FS 996. REPLACED FITTING PER SRM 51-01. - [SDR 9510879995](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9510879995), May 5, 1995: BULKHEAD. CRACKED. DURING ACCEPTANCE CHECK AND PRIOR TO SERVICE, FOUND A CRACK IN THE FS 37 FORWARD PRESSURE BULKHEAD AT THE 10 O'CLOCK POSITION NEAR THE RADOME CENTERING PIN. REP - [SDR 9507529995](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9507529995), May 4, 1995: FITTING. CRACKED. DURING ACCEPTANCE CHECK AND PRIOR TO SERVICE, FOUND CRACK IN THE LEFT KEEL FITTING FS 604 AT LONGERON 30. REPLACED FITTING PER SRM 51-01. - [SDR 9506039995](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9506039995), Apr 9, 1995: FITTING. CRACKED. DURING ACCEPTANCE CHECK AND PRIOR TO SERVICE, FOUND CRACK AND CORROSION IN FLOOR SUPPORT FITTING FS 980 BETWEEN LONGERON 27R TO 28R. REPLACED FITTING. - [SDR 9505979995](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9505979995), Apr 7, 1995: LONGERON. CRACKED. DURING ACCEPTANCE CHECK AND PRIOR TO SERVICE, FOUND CRACK IN LONGERON 15L TO FS 210 FRAME STRAP. REPAIRED PER EA 99-092452. - [SDR 9505529995](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9505529995), Apr 6, 1995: FITTING. CRACKED. DURING ACCEPTANCE CHECK AND PRIOR TO SERVICE, FOUND CRACK IN FLOORBEAM TO BULKHEAD ATTACH FITTING FS 965 AT RBL 44. REPLACED FITTING PER SRM 51 TO 01. - [SDR 9505509995](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/9505509995), Apr 5, 1995: FITTING. CRACKED. DURING ACCEPTANCE CHECK AND PRIOR TO SERVICE, FOUND CRACK IN FLOORBEAM TO KEEL ATTACH FITTING FS 718. REPLACED FITTING PER SRM 51-01. ## FAA accident and incident reports (2) From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [Incident 19900104003179I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900104003179I), Jan 4, 1990: Doug DC931 (N8979E), Atlanta, GA, Minor damage. Baggage handler hit NR2 engine thrust reverser with a baggage cart. - [Incident 19870914062639I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870914062639I), Sep 14, 1987: Doug DC931 (N8979E), Kansas City, MO. Warning horn on takeoff on 2 attempts. Returned to gate. Faulty takeoff warning switch in left wheel well. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.