After two very recent accidents involving SAS operated Dash 8 Q400, Bombardier recomended today to ground all the Dash 8 Q400 having more than 10′000 landings. Both incidents involved landing gear, and in at least one case, the main landing gear collapsed on landing. You can find a more detailled report from Forbes here.

This decision and its subsequent communication to all airlines operating such planes shows once again how quickly the aircraft manufacturers can react, and proves if necessary the excellent collaboration between manufacturers and the airlines. The industry reacts as a whole here, with no attempts to hide problems. Passengers will certainly be upset by the induced delays, and legal argument will certainly take place later to know who’s responsible and must pay for the extra costs. But the fact is, the planes are grounded and everyone is safe !

For more info about the SAS accident in Aalborg, you can refer to flight history blog. It includes danish media coverage and a movie of the accident, as well as some pictures taken immediately after.

Additional information from SAS is available via their press center. Strangely, Bombardier is not communicating to media for the time being.

UPDATE ON 22nd of September 2007: A new incident involved a German Dash 8 Q400 today, in Munich. All details are available on Bloomberg website.

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