All SAS Dash-8 Q400 grounded

[g.grissom]

All Q400 grounded due to a crack found in main landing gear. This is after multiple problems with the fleet, including many unsafe gears, uplocked gear, hydraulic leaks and losses of quantity in one system, many faults related to vibration; i.e. parts of structure fallen off in flight, excessive wear on hoses, uplock hooks, etc.

[JR_wilco]

Couldn´t be an immediate measure. . .I just saw one taking off from EDDH to EKCH. Today 16:50Z.. .best, JR

[Avman]

<img src="confused.gif" border="0"> I don't get your point wilco. Grissom's post is timed at 2000+ and you saw a movement at 1650! Well, that a/c would have arrived at about 1740 and could well have been their last service before the grounding.

[Knold]

Well I guess that it would have just been too good a solution to fix the damn piece of junk when they had every aircraft up to Sn 34 in for major modifications of the electric’s, the engine pylon, the wing joints and so on and so forth.

It’s not exactly the energizer bunny.

I have serious doubts that the flight ops department actually knew about the deal at all. I guess that you get what you pay for…

[+TS]

Anybody happens to know why they got rid of the. .Saab-2000 in favor of the Dash-8Q400 ?

[JR_wilco]

Avman,. .today I saw another one on the same route, same flight. Maybe they have limited schedules elsewhere but they do fly !

[LAVDUMPER]

A little off the subject...

Has anyone at SAS Commuter flown both the Saab 2000 and the Dash 8-400?

How do they compare? Which would you rather fly now and why?

. .Cheers

[Zico]

JR and Avman,. .According to the newsmedia, all 17 aircraft were inspected overnight and found ok. Only mentioned aircraft individual had a crack in a bolt that keeps maingear up and locked. Should be all flying again!

[Nite_Flite]

Lets hope they didn't through the boxes they came in away. They might just come in handy some day soon...send them back to Martell Toy Factory

[PropsAreForBoats]

+TS:

SAAB 2000: 50 seats. .Q400: 72 seats

[g.grissom]

All A/C ok yeah, but during that inspection they found bells in the emergency gear release system not fixed, so in case of emergency release bell would have released instead of gear ! Appearently connected to factory modification on uplocks. Remember Jan 6th event in CPH, where a SAS Q400 couldn´t get one main gear down, neither with emergency release. Finally it come down after having reversed the normal and emergency down selection procedures.

[Knold]

Nite_Flite, couldn't agree with you more!. .I happen to live so that I from time to time need to use SAS services. Unfortunately the route, which used to be flown by MD80 and 737s, is now mostly "serviced" <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0"> by the Crash8.. .The punctuality has, in my experience, never been worse.

[ 23 January 2002: Message edited by: Knold ]</p>

[Uplinker]

grissom; excuse my ingorance, but what are the 'bells' in the emergency gear lowering system ?

Don't remember covering those on our course.

Was talking to a SAS guy yesterday who confirmed that the uplocks were getting worn.

Ah, just realised, you probably mean 'bolts'

[ 23 January 2002: Message edited by: Uplinker ]</p>

[Nite_Flite]

Uplinker...I kind of found it an amusing mistake by our autronaut Gus Grissom. Bells or Bolts! Just shows that this is a rumour network. Take it for what it is. A place to let of steam or tell a story of dubious character.. . <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[Two red]

"LAVDUMPER"

I spoke to a SAS Commuter captain who used to fly SAAB 2000 and currently flying 8Q-400. When comparing the "feel" of flying the 2000 was superior in his opinion. The 2000 was also superior in "searching-of-failure-procedurs", all in all, he favoured the SAAB2000.

Regards

Two red

[LAVDUMPER]

Thanks Two Red,

I have always been impressed with the speed and sleekness of the Saab 2000 - and the flighdeck is awesome with full EFIS displays. I am also impressed with the look of the Dash-8 Q400 - very elongated...

It would be nice to get experience on both types. No doubt you would be an EFIS expert after that type of experience - especially after flying in the Arctic weather during the blustery winters in those aircraft...

. .Cheers