N293EA

This airframe, registered as N293EA, is a McDonnell Douglas MD-87 (DC-9-87) built in 1991 with manufacturer serial number 53209. The airframe is owned by CORSAIR TWO LLC, an LLC registered in Hillsboro, OR, US, and carries a United States registration. The aircraft has undergone a conversion from its original passenger layout into an aerial firefighting platform, with a retardant tank installation replacing the standard cabin configuration. Registry records and condition summaries indicate it operates in the fixed-wing multi-engine special-mission sector rather than regular passenger service.

The cabin on N293EA is not in its original passenger layout; it has been converted for aerial firefighting with a retardant tank installation occupying the former passenger space. Typical mission profiles for this specific aircraft are special-mission sorties such as retardant drops over wildfire zones rather than scheduled passenger routes, operating from its owner-operator base in Hillsboro, OR, US and regional firefighting forward bases as required. Avionics and mission equipment fits are configured to support low-altitude, precision retardant delivery and the airframe’s maintenance regime reflects the additional structural and systems inspections associated with retardant tank installations and frequent tactical flight profiles.

The McDonnell Douglas MD-87 (DC-9-87) occupies a niche as a short- to medium-range, single-aisle jet derived from the DC-9 family, here repurposed into a special-mission aerial tanker. With a cruise speed of 438 kts and a service ceiling of 37,000 ft, the type is occasionally selected for conversions where airframe availability and economics favor older, durable platforms. Competing replacement options in the market tend toward newer regional jets or purpose-built airtankers, affecting buyer and charter demand for converted MD-87s. Maintenance and resale considerations for this airframe reflect its conversion history, US registration, and the specific inspection and certification requirements tied to firefighting modifications.