N987AK

This airframe, registered as N987AK, is a McDonnell Douglas MD-87 (DC-9-87) built in 1988 with manufacturer serial number 49404. The aircraft is owned by 987 INVESTMENTS LLC, a corporation based in Spring, TX, US, and is U.S.-registered. The airframe was completed by McDonnell Douglas and configured in a corporate/VIP layout for its final operations; registry records and the ownership structure indicate operator activity centered on the owner's Texas location. Valuation estimates place the aircraft at $6,500,000, reflecting a corporate-configured late-generation MD-80 series airframe with limited-seat VIP fit.

The airframe was flown in a corporate/VIP cabin configuration, reported to have had approximately 19 passenger seats on final flight, indicating a high-comfort, low-density layout used for executive transport rather than airline-style operations. Typical mission profiles for this installation would emphasize medium-range point-to-point charter or owner-operator flights within the aircraft's 2,390 nm range and cruise at about 443 kts, operating from the owner's likely base region around Spring, TX. The two JT8D-219 engines provide the thrust necessary for older-generation MD-80 performance but also drive maintenance considerations related to legacy engine support and hush-kit/noise compliance in some jurisdictions. The aircraft’s U.S. registration and corporate ownership suggest maintenance and records are held to U.S. regulatory standards.

The MD-87 (DC-9-87) occupies a niche as a medium-range, twin-engine fuselage derivative in the late MD-80 family, offering greater capacity and range than smaller business jets while retaining older-generation systems. Competing options historically included regional jets and large-cabin business conversions of more modern airframes; demand for VIP-converted MD-80 series types tends to be specialized, driven by buyers seeking a robust platform with range near 2,390 nm and cruise speeds around 443 kts. Resale and maintenance considerations for this specific airframe—serial 49404, engines JT8D-219, and corporate VIP fit—center on parts availability for legacy systems, ongoing maintenance cost, and market appetite for older wide-fuselage corporate transports.