THIRD SAS Q400 Gear Collapse in 2 Months

[Cardinal]

...And the fourth Q400 since August 12th. Today (Saturday Oct 27th) SAS parked another Q400 in the weeds following gear trouble. Copenhagen, Denmark.

http://jp.dk/webtv/webtv_indland/?movieId=14298&Id=1145841

It's interesting to see the learning curve at work as the pilots get used to this - The crew had #2 in feather as they rode it in, a good compromise between having a gen and thrust if needed, but minimizing the energy in the ill-fated propellor.

To Colgan, Lynx, Horizon et,al: Good luck, we're all counting on you.

 

[The_Russian]

Truly an example of a job well done. Notice the proper landing technique compared to similar landings performed in the same aircraft. Feathering the right propeller was a great compromise between safety and system requirements which worked out in their favor.

 

[eaglefly]

I think it's safe to say this aircraft has developed a serious problem.

It's time to ground it.

 

[wmuflyguy]

I think it's safe to say this aircraft has developed a serious problem.

It's time to ground it.

It may just be an SAS maintenance problem. Has Horizon had any gear trouble?

 

[johnsonrod]

Let's put Colgan newhires in that thing!

 

[Terry Hunter]

Great job to the crew

 

[Oakum_Boy]

Great advertisement for Bombardier: CRJ gear and flaps, then Q400 gear.

 

[zasca]

son of a bitch. Well, maybe PDT will get a good price on those things now.

 

[Sioux115]

Maybe some QX Q400 drivers no more, but when I asked our mx during the inspections a couple months ago they said we have never had anything close to a serious problem with our gear in the Q400.

 

[Singlecoil]

These aircraft are somewhat notorious for being difficult to land with lots of landings pounded on. It does make you wonder if the repeated poundings take a toll on the landing gear that push them past design limits.

 

[Oakum_Boy]

SAS is permanently grounding the Q400 fleet and is demanding compensation from Bombardier for loss of revenue and damage to its reputation.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7066377.stm

 

[zasca]

Hmmm, some tinfoil head will think management sabotaged this last one so they'd have a good case to sue Bombardier and end their lease or dump the planes. I wonder how much of a drop there was in consumer confidence in SAS regional fights before this latest down/lock malfunction...

 

[ImbracableCrunk]

Hmmmm. Comet, Electra . . . Q400?

 

[ReverseSensing]

http://www.flysas.com/en/Media-center/Press-releases/?vst=true

2007-10-28

SAS removes Dash 8 Q400 from service permanently

Following the recent period of events involving aircraft of the Dash 8 Q400 type, SAS's management, following an unscheduled meeting of the Board of Directors held today, has decided to immediately discontinue the use of this type of aircraft.

"Confidence in the Q400 has diminished considerably and our customers are becoming increasingly doubtful about flying in this type of aircraft. Accordingly, with the Board of Directors' approval, I have decided to immediately remove Dash 8 Q400 aircraft from service," says Mats Jansson, President and Chief Executive Officer of SAS.

In January 2000, SAS was the first customer to use the Dash 8 Q400 in its traffic operations. The aircraft have accounted for approximately 5 percent of the Group's passengers. The aim is to replace traffic based on the Q400 by reallocating current aircraft in the SAS Group's fleet and by means of leasing.

"The Dash 8 Q400 has given rise to repeated quality-related problems and we can now conclude that the aircraft does not match our passengers' requirements concerning punctuality and regularity. SAS's flight operations have always enjoyed an excellent reputation and there is a risk that use of the Dash 8 Q400 could eventually damage the SAS brand," says John Dueholm, Deputy CEO of SAS.

Due to the decision, SAS's traffic services will be affected by flight cancellations in the period immediately ahead. The customers concerned will be given an opportunity to either rebook or have their tickets refunded. For detailed information about traffic services, reference is made to the airlines' various websites (www.sas.se www.sas.dk www.wideroe.no)


SAS Group Corporate Communication

 

[Cardinal]

Permanently parked, ouch. Talk about a scathing indictment. I can't think of the last time this happened...