Dash 8 Emergency Window Exits
Hi all. My company has started to re-activate the Ditching Dam system on our 300's which now enable us to operate at the higher TOW of 43000lbs as opposed to 41100lbs. My questions is, is the theory of the emergency window exits allowing water to enter the cabin in a water landing (at the higher weight) the real story behind the DD? How did Bombardier (or maybe deHavilland at the time) figure this out?
Secondly, I realize the Q400 does not have emergency window exits and thus no DD system. Since the fuselage is obviously the same as the 100/200/300 the higher weight of 64500lbs must be a reason for its removal, or is it something else?
I'm always amazed of aircraft manufacturers design the location of emergency window exits. In the 100/200's they're located ahead of the wing versus the 300's which is located aft of it.