The bigger aviation buzz in 2007 has been the series of accidents involving SAS Dash8-Q400. As a reminder, landing gear collapsed twice when landing, and SAS eventually decided to stop flying the Q400. The media coverage played a large role in this decision, as customers started to “feel unsafe”.

Bombardier and SAS agreed on a settlement two days ago. It is confidential, but SAS confirmed a global compensation of slightly more than 164 million US$. This will be both in cash and as credits to buy new planes… including next generation Dash8-Q400 ! I wonder what customers reactions will be when SAS will start flying the Dash again. Even if I’m convinced this plane is safe, it’s perceived safety level suffered from the incidents.

The Bombardier announcement respects the secrecy, simply stating : “With regard to the Q400 landing gear incidents in 2007 Bombardier, SAS and Goodrich, the manufacturer of the landing gear, have come to a mutually satisfactory agreement – the terms of which are confidential.”

SAS is a bit more explicit, and they mention the incidents at first place, whereas Bombardier mention them in a much lighter way. Click here to read the SAS press release.

For more information, read this news item from AviationSafetyNetwork.