Deli Mike
| Company type | Aircraft |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation |
| Predecessor | McDonnell Douglas DC-10 fleet (Turkish Airlines) |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Istanbul , Turkey |
| Products | Long-distance passenger airliner (Airbus A340-300) |
| Owner | Turkish Airlines (1996–2019), Africa Charter Airline (2019–2022), Mahan Air affiliate (2022–present) |
Deli Mike or Deli Mayk (translated as Crazy Mike in English) refers to an Airbus A340-300 aircraft registered as TC-JDM and operated by Turkish Airlines. Introduced in 1996 to succeed the airline's McDonnell Douglas DC-10 fleet, this plane was deployed on long-distance flights originating from Turkey. Its reputation stemmed from occasional, peculiar technical malfunctions—such as unpredictable lighting behavior—leading to its nickname, a clever twist on the ICAO phonetic alphabet. In 2016, the aircraft was reconfigured exclusively for economy-class seating and assigned primarily to carry pilgrims during the Hajj season.
The aircraft left Turkish Airlines' roster in early 2019 and was flown to O. R. Tambo International Airport, where it was re-registered as 2-AVRA. After nearly four years stored in Johannesburg, it was moved to Mehrabad International Airport in December 2022. Reportedly purchased by a Burkinabe affiliate of the Iranian airline Mahan Air—a move believed to bypass sanctions imposed on Iran—it recommenced service in March 2024 under the registration EP-MJC.
Background
During the late 1980s, Turkish Airlines sought to broaden its network into North America and East Asia. At that time, the airline was phasing out its McDonnell Douglas DC-10 fleet, leaving only the Airbus A310 available for these routes. However, the A310’s limited range necessitated refueling stops and was insufficient for nonstop operations. In January 1990, after assessing two aircraft still under development—the Airbus A340 and the McDonnell Douglas MD-11—an internal committee favored the Airbus A340 based on its superior technical features and more economical operating costs compared to the MD-11. Consequently, Turkish Airlines placed an order for five Airbus A340-300s on 27 March 1990, with options for an additional five units. The aircraft bearing serial number 115 was unveiled on 27 February 1996 and entered service in April as the airline’s fourth A340, receiving the name "İzmir".
Technical failures and nickname
Soon after entering service, this aircraft encountered several unusual technical problems. Its exterior lights would switch on and off without command, while emergency exit lights activated sequentially in a pattern resembling a "Mexican wave," which cabin crew humorously interpreted as signs that Deli Mike was "in high spirits." The plane also occasionally triggered the master caution alarm without cause, unsettling flight crews. Other frequent malfunctions involved passenger reading lights and call buttons activating erratically. According to anecdotal reports, a senior technician once resolved issues with flight instruments simply by tapping the door and speaking to the aircraft.
In the ICAO phonetic alphabet used in aviation, the letters D and M correspond to "Delta Mike." Due to its ongoing unpredictable technical behavior, Turkish Airlines maintenance personnel dubbed this aircraft "Deli Mike" (with deli meaning "crazy" in Turkish), reflecting its erratic nature. Technicians from Turkish Technic observed that although Deli Mike had the capability to fly globally at will, it could also stubbornly refuse movement even when on the ground. Despite comprehensive removal and reinstallation of systems along with software resets, these irregularities continued to occur.
Subsequent history
During the 2010s, Turkish Airlines employed Airbus A340s such as Deli Mike as flexible aircraft, serving both domestic sectors and international long-distance flights. On 2 September 2011, Deli Mike experienced a runway excursion at Mumbai airport; fortunately, all 93 passengers evacuated without injury, and the plane sustained only minor damage. Turkish Airlines retired its A340 fleet from regular scheduled services in May 2016. Starting July 2016, TC-JDM along with other A340 models were adapted for Hajj charter operations and reconfigured to feature exclusively economy seating. A decline in demand during the winter of 2016 resulted in many aircraft, including Deli Mike, being temporarily grounded. By August 2017, Turkish Airlines intended to keep its A340s active for Hajj flights through 2021 due to their well-maintained condition. As of September 2017, Deli Mike held the distinction of being the oldest airplane in the airline’s fleet. In February 2018, criticism surfaced regarding the continued deployment of aging aircraft like Deli Mike, particularly concerning repeated landing gear malfunctions that forced flight diversions back to departure airports.
On 22 October 2018, Turkish Airlines grounded TC-JDM along with its sister ship TC-JDN at Istanbul Atatürk Airport. The aircraft was officially retired in early January 2019, with its livery removed later that month. Although there was speculation about converting it into a restaurant, this plan never came to fruition. In March 2019, the plane was ferried to Johannesburg’s O. R. Tambo International Airport and subsequently sold to a Hong Kong-based firm for use by Africa Charter Airline, receiving the new registration 2-AVRA.
In December 2022, Deli Mike and three additional former Turkish Airlines A340s returned to flight after several years of inactivity. Departing from Johannesburg on 24 December en route to Uzbekistan, all the aircraft declared emergencies mid-flight and diverted to Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport. The plane was transferred through a Mahan Air subsidiary located in Burkina Faso and given local registration marks. Reports suggested this was part of a strategy to circumvent international sanctions imposed on Iran; Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization confirmed acquiring four Airbus A340s. The aircraft was repainted in Mahan Air colors with Iranian registration EP-MJC and commenced operations on 19 March 2024, including flights servicing routes to Turkey.
Bibliography
External links
- TC-JDM at Planespotters.net