Carrier Cancels All Flights To Aalborg

A Scandinavian Airlines Q400 turboprop's right landing gear collapsed just as it touched down during an emergency landing at Aalborg Airport in western Denmark Sunday. Five of the 73 people on board sustained minor injuries, according to the Associated Press.

The pilot called for an emergency landing after identifying an unknown problem with the landing gear. According to carrier spokesperson Bertil Ternert, this type of problem is a first for not only the airline, but also for the plane's manufacturer... a statement confirmed by planemaker Bombardier.

Video of the accident shows the right landing gear collapsing just as the plane touched down, then the right prop digging into the ground. Prop debris entered the cabin, but didn't strike any passengers, according to police.

A resultant fire in the right engine was quickly extinguished while the 69 passengers and four crew were evacuated. The minor injuries occurred during the evacuation, the AP reported.

As of Monday, the aircraft was still on the runway. Because the alternate runway at AAL isn't long enough for its fleet of Q400s, SAS cancelled its flights to the capital of North Jutland.

None of the remaining aircraft have been grounded as a result of the accident, said carrier spokesperson Mikkel Loendahl. Inspections will occur on all aircraft, however.

"We're completely certain that this is an isolated incident," spokesperson Anne Bove-Nielsen told Bloomberg. "Bombardier reassured us that nothing suggests a fault in the construction."

The Copenhagen Post reports the Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) has already begun an investigation but is and has been less than satisfied with the maintenance procedures of SAS. The CAA declined to comment on the accident, but agency press spokesperson, Thomas Ancker, said the airline had demonstrated 'serious oversights' regarding maintenance issues.

The carrier reportedly made more than 2300 flights with safety equipment that didn't meet required standards.

"SAS has not lived up to the expected standard and that means the authorities have now directed their attention to the airline's maintenance program," said Ancker.

SAS denied the accusations.

"We can merely note that the airplanes we have in the air have the necessary certification and that we have an ongoing dialogue with the CAA," said SAS spokesperson Jens Langergaard.

Danish authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.

FMI: www.aal.dk, www.slv.dk