FlyinScotsman
Left-Handed Gear Jockey
- Joined
- May 27, 2005
- Posts
- 189
qx grounds Q400
Dear friends and co-workers,
Late yesterday, we received word from Bombardier of a second incident in the past three days related to Q400 right main landing gear collapse. While the incidents -- both of which involved SAS-affiliated aircraft in Europe -- didn't result in any serious injuries, the events were serious and the short time between them was an obvious cause for concern.
As a precautionary measure, Bombardier issued an All Operator Memo (AOM) last evening to all Q400 operators that strongly recommended the grounding of Q400s with over 10,000 landing gear cycles (a cycle is one take-off and landing), until they can be fully inspected in accordance with manufacturer's specifications. In the worldwide fleet, there are 60 Q400s that have over 10,000 cycles -- Horizon has 19 of them.
With the safety of our customers and our crews as our highest consideration, we responded immediately by planning the cancellation of flights served by the 19 affected aircraft on Wednesday. Teams from every department worked through the night to reschedule the airline, develop a plan to inspect and ferry 13 airplanes, develop communications for employees and others, and tend to our customers and crews. Our friends at Alaska pitched in with offers of support on every front. I can't thank all of these folks enough for their hard work and dedication.
Unfortunately, at this point it appears that this will turn into a multi-day event. We are awaiting direction from Bombardier on inspection specifications that we can execute against, which will take some time -- how much, we do not know. In the meantime, we'll be working to deploy aircraft as smartly as we possibly can, and to take care of as many customers in as many markets as possible.
There's no question but that the next several days are going to be among the most challenging we've ever faced. But there's also no question that, by working together and focusing on doing all we can to support our customers and each other, we'll get through it. And as with all stretches of adversity, we'll be better off for it.
We'll be using all communication channels to keep you updated on the situation and on our progress. Your managers will be participating in regular conference calls, so be sure to feed any questions you have to them.
Thank you all,
Jeff
Dear friends and co-workers,
Late yesterday, we received word from Bombardier of a second incident in the past three days related to Q400 right main landing gear collapse. While the incidents -- both of which involved SAS-affiliated aircraft in Europe -- didn't result in any serious injuries, the events were serious and the short time between them was an obvious cause for concern.
As a precautionary measure, Bombardier issued an All Operator Memo (AOM) last evening to all Q400 operators that strongly recommended the grounding of Q400s with over 10,000 landing gear cycles (a cycle is one take-off and landing), until they can be fully inspected in accordance with manufacturer's specifications. In the worldwide fleet, there are 60 Q400s that have over 10,000 cycles -- Horizon has 19 of them.
With the safety of our customers and our crews as our highest consideration, we responded immediately by planning the cancellation of flights served by the 19 affected aircraft on Wednesday. Teams from every department worked through the night to reschedule the airline, develop a plan to inspect and ferry 13 airplanes, develop communications for employees and others, and tend to our customers and crews. Our friends at Alaska pitched in with offers of support on every front. I can't thank all of these folks enough for their hard work and dedication.
Unfortunately, at this point it appears that this will turn into a multi-day event. We are awaiting direction from Bombardier on inspection specifications that we can execute against, which will take some time -- how much, we do not know. In the meantime, we'll be working to deploy aircraft as smartly as we possibly can, and to take care of as many customers in as many markets as possible.
There's no question but that the next several days are going to be among the most challenging we've ever faced. But there's also no question that, by working together and focusing on doing all we can to support our customers and each other, we'll get through it. And as with all stretches of adversity, we'll be better off for it.
We'll be using all communication channels to keep you updated on the situation and on our progress. Your managers will be participating in regular conference calls, so be sure to feed any questions you have to them.
Thank you all,
Jeff
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