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NASA Retiring its DC-8

by Matt Falcus

NASA is to retire its Douglas DC-8 airborne laborotory aircraft with a more modern type, in sad news to fans of vintage aircraft.

The US space agency has operated its DC-8-72 N871NA since February 1986, but a combination of age and the need for more efficient and technologically advanced type has meant time is now being called on the aircraft.

Its replacement will be a Boeing 777-200ER, which was recently purchased for $30 million.

This aircraft is not new, having previously flown for Japan Airlines between 2003 and 2020. It was recently retired to Victorville, CA, where it was targeted by NASA.

NASA Photo

DC8-62-Alitalia-I-DIWK-001

As one of the last flying DC-8 aircraft anywhere in the world, N871NA was originally built in 1969, flying for Alitalia (as I-DIWK) and then Braniff International (as N801BN) from 1979 until 1986. It is therefore over 53 years old and very much at the end of its useful life.

Its future is not known yet, however the recently-retired Boeing 747SP ‘Sofia’ was sent to preservation at the Pima Air & Space Museum, so there is hope for this aircraft.

Only a few DC-8s remain in service now, mostly with cargo operators in Africa.

Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian aid organisation, also operates one example which is often seen in areas of humanitarian need.

 

 

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7 comments

MERVYN CROWE January 21, 2023 - 6:16 am

Loved my few DC-8 flights, comfy aeroplane. I logged and photographed this DC-8 at LHR in 1964 and 65 when with ALITALIA as I-DIWK.

Reply
Paul duVair July 20, 2023 - 5:16 am

Saw this bird flying over Palmdale today. What’s your source and when is it to retire?

Reply
Matt Falcus July 21, 2023 - 5:12 pm

Hi Paul, it was confirmed by NASA.

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HankB August 2, 2023 - 12:34 am

It was flying around Chicago today. (2023-08-01) I didn’t see it but it was mentioned on local news.

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T August 9, 2023 - 8:43 pm

817 flew low over New Haven, CT today (8-9-23), about 4p. Apparently it is sampling emissions (CO2?) at low altitude.

Reply
Scott August 27, 2023 - 2:45 am

I saw this DC-8 landing at Long Beach Airport (LGB) this afternoon (8/26/23). Seeing a flying DC-8 is such a rare event had to find out more and found this website.

Reply
S August 27, 2023 - 7:24 am

I saw this DC-8 landing at Long Beach Airport (LGB) this afternoon (8/26/23). Seeing a flying DC-8 is such a rare event had to find out more and found this website.

Reply

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