The MD-82 plane that crashed in Madrid is part of an aircraft series that has a history blighted with accidents. 
 
In March and April this year a safety audit against American Airlines forced the airline to ground its entire MD-80 series fleet.

Almost 6000 flights were cancelled as the hydraulic wiring was checked.

Delta Airlines also cancelled 275 flights after inspecting their MD-80s.

Here are some of the recorded incidents involving the MD-80 series. Almost 400 people have been killed in the last 5 years.

November 30, 2007 - MD-83 Atlasjet Flight 4203 crashed into the southwestern province of Isparta in Turkey, killing all 57 passengers.

September 28, 2007 - MD-80 Flight 1400 landed safely after the left engine caught fire. It was heading for Chicago.

September 16, 2007 - MD-82 One-Two-GO Airlines Flight 269 crashed at the side of the runway and exploded at Phuket airport. More than 80 killed.

August 16, 2005 - MD-82 West Caribbean Airways Flight 708 crashed in northwest Venezuela killing all 152 passengers and 8 crew.

November 30, 2004 - MD-82 crash landed in Surakarta, killing at least 25.

May 7, 2002 - MD-82 China Northern airlines Flight from Beijing to Dalian crashed, killing at least 111.

October 8, 2001 - MD-87 collided with a Cessna jet during take-off at Linate Airport, Milan. 118 were killed.

January 31, 2000 - MD-83 crashed in the Pacific Ocean. 88 killed.

June 1, 1999 - MD-82 American Airlines flight overshot the runway. At least 11 died.

June 7, 1996 - MD-88 Flight with Delta Airlines. 2 killed.

October 26, 1993 - MD-82 China Eastern Airlines Flight. 2 killed.

December 27, 1991 - MD-81 crashed in Sweden. All aboard the plane survived.

June 12, 1998 - MD-81 Argentinian flight. Killed 22.

August 16, 1987 - MD-82 crashed shortly after take-off from Detroit. All crew and passengers died except a 4 year old girl.

December 1, 1981 - MD-81 crashed in Corsica, all 180 passengers were killed.