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BOMBARDIER Q400 TURBOPROP UPDATE
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John Dueholm, SAS's deputy chief executive, said: "There is a risk that use of the Dash 8/Q400 could eventually damage the SAS brand." But Mats Jansson, SAS chief executive, said confidence in the plane had diminished considerably "and our customers are becoming increasingly doubtful about flying in this type of aircraft." He plans to replace the grounded turboprops with other types of aircraft in its fleet and leased planes.
It said it had been given the all-clear under Transport Canada's airworthiness directive. The group said: "There appears to be no relationship between this incident and previous SAS Q400 main landing-gear incidents." Television footage showed the plane tipping and swerving to the right before landing unscathed.Įarlier this month Bombardier said around 90% of its Q400 fleet had returned to service after two previous incidents involving the SAS fleet of 27 in Lithuania and Denmark. The 70-seater plane, carrying 44 passengers, crash-landed at Copenhagen airport when its main right-hand landing gear "failed to fully extend for landing", according to Bombardier.