3 Engines on the Tail

The Boeing 727 is the only airliner in the U.S. with 3 engines mounted on the tail, and elsewhere in the world the only other 3 engine airliner still flying regular service is the Tupolev TU-154, operated by Air Koryo in North Korea.  Place your mouse over the red links below to see the illustration highlighted.

Background

  • Boeing produced the 727 from 1964 to 1984, over 1,800 in all. As of 2020 only 106 remain in service worldwide, flown mostly by small cargo airlines and a handful of VIP charters.  The largest operator is a cargo airline in Colombia with a fleet of 7.

What to Look For

Unlike other 3-engine jets, the 727 has a "T" tail with the horizontal stabilizer at the top. The 727 is the only plane other than the DC-9 and MD-80 to have  emergency exit stairs at the rear of the fuselage under the tail.

Unlike other 3-engine jets, the 727 has a "T" tail with the horizontal stabilizer at the top. The 727 is the only plane other than the DC-9 and MD-80 to have emergency exit stairs at the rear of the fuselage under the tail.

Unlike other 3-engine jets, the 727 has a "T" tail with the horizontal stabilizer at the top. The 727 is the only plane other than the DC-9 and MD-80 to have emergency exit stairs at the rear of the fuselage under the tail.

Examples

Boeing 727 Aircraft