SAS was the first airline to fly the Q400 in 2000.

SAS Scandinavian Airlines has announced it is permanently removing its entire fleet of Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft from service, following three accidents involving the plane’s landing gear.

In total, 27 aircraft of SAS Group’s fleet of 303 aircraft are affected by the move, accounting for approximately 5% of the company’s passengers.

SAS was the first airline to begin flying the Q400 in January 2000. It operated on Danish and Swedish domestic routes, as well as on European routes.

The company has already started to look into replacing the aircraft type and expects to start implementing a long-term solution by the second half of 2008.

By Natasha Piscitelli