N917KW

This article covers the specific airframe registered as N917KW, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30(F) built in 1975 with manufacturer's serial number 46917. The airframe is owned by Alta Airlines Holdings LLC, a corporation based in Salt Lake City, UT, US, and carries a United States registration. The airframe was converted to a freighter and equipped for main-deck cargo operations with pallet/container capability, a notable change in its operational role. Public valuation or detailed condition reports for this specific airframe are not published.

The interior of N917KW is configured as a converted freighter with main-deck cargo capability and pallet/container handling, reflecting its role in large-volume cargo transport rather than passenger service. The aircraft’s performance figures—a long-range capability of 5,200 nautical miles, a cruise speed near 473 knots and a service ceiling of 42,000 feet—support transcontinental and intercontinental cargo missions. Based in Salt Lake City, UT, US under corporate ownership, the airframe’s typical operations would emphasize high-capacity freight routes where main-deck palletization is required. Avionics fit and specific maintenance status for this airframe are not published; maintenance considerations center on three high-thrust CF6-50C2 turbofans and freighter-modification structural inspections.

As a McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30(F) airframe, N917KW belongs to a family positioned for long-range, high-capacity missions, leveraging three-engine redundancy and robust main-deck cargo capability. The combination of a 5,200 nm range, a 473 kt cruise profile and a 42,000 ft ceiling makes this configuration suitable for extended cargo sectors without en-route payload penalties associated with shorter-range types. Market considerations for this specific airframe include lifecycle maintenance of the CF6-50C2 engines, freighter conversion structural upkeep and the niche demand for large main-deck pallet/container freighters in cargo operations.