Preliminary usage analysis of md-87 flown as a heavy air tanker

Abstract

Operational data from a fleet of MD-87 airtankers flown in support of the United States Forest Service aerial firefighting operations have been analyzed for airframe usage. The aircraft were equipped with two different flight data recorders, affording comparison of their results. Airframe usage has been examined for the ground-air-ground cycles, and the results have been compared with aircraft limitations. Consistent with previous observations, vertical accelerations in excess of the limit load factors for the corresponding flap deflections have been detected in some instances during the drop phases. Recommendations have been made concerning recorded data integrity and aircraft inspection periods.