A Bombardier Q400 being delivered from the manufacturer's Toronto plant to Algerian operator Tassili Airlines is undergoing repair after one of its landing-gear doors failed to close shortly after taking off from a refuelling point in Portugal.
The 5 November glitch follows three recent Q400 gear-related accidents at SAS Group, which has withdrawn the type from its fleet. Bombardier says, however, that the latest incident bears "no relationship to any of the previous issues with landing gear" involving SAS and that there was "no safety issue involved".
Bombardier's Q400 registered service facility at UK regional Flybe in Exeter has handled the repair of the Tassili Q400.
"It has taken them a little time to find out what the problem is - that happens on new deliveries sometimes," says Bombardier. "It's unfortunate it happened on delivery, but [Tassili are] understanding and we're providing them with the highest level of support."
Tassili, which is owned by the Sonatrach State Energy Group, placed an order for four 70-seat Q400s in mid-2006 for delivery from the third quarter of this year. The carrier in April ordered four Bombardier Q200 turboprops.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
