Denver-based Frontier Airlines said it is not immediately affected by the grounding of Q400 turboprop planes Wednesday in the wake of two landing-gear failures this week.
Frontier’s startup Q400 turboprop subsidiary has not yet started service, so it is not affected by the grounding.
But “if there’s anything that needs to be modified with our aircraft, then we’ll certainly work with Bombardier and (the Federal Aviation Administration) to do that,” said Frontier spokesman Joe Hodas.
After two Scandinavian Airlines accidents, Bombardier and landing-gear manufacturer Goodrich recommended as a precautionary measure that Q400s that have gone through more than 10,000 landing cycles (including a takeoff and a landing) be grounded to inspect the landing gear.
The right main landing gear collapsed on a Scandinavian flight Sunday in Denmark, with five passengers slightly injured during evacuation, followed by another collapse of the right main landing gear on a Scandinavian flight Wednesday in Lithuania, with no injuries reported.
The grounding affects about 60 of the more than 160 Q400s that Bombardier has delivered to airlines.
Scandinavian and Seattle-based Horizon Air are among the airlines that operate the Q400 and canceled flights. Horizon Air, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group, is a regional carrier for Frontier Airlines but does not operate the Q400 for Frontier.
Local authorities are inspecting the crash sites in Denmark and Lithuania, said Bombardier spokesman Marc Duchesne.
“We’re waiting for their final report. That could take a few weeks,” Duchesne said.
Frontier had planned to launch its Q400 turboprop subsidiary Lynx Aviation with flights Oct. 1, but it has delayed the launch of the turboprop flights because federal regulatory approvals are taking longer than expected.
“If there’s any sort of silver lining for us, it’s the fact that this is going on now before we’re actually operating the aircraft,” allowing Frontier to deal with the issue before the Q400 enters service, Hodas said.
He said Bombardier would pay for modifications if necessary.
Frontier ordered 10 74-seat Q400s, with options for 10 more. It is using the Q400 as it works toward certification.
Staff writer Kelly Yamanouchi can be reached at 303-954-1488 or kyamanouchi@denverpost.com.
Bombardier Q400 incidents
Sunday: A Scandinavian Airlines Q400 caught fire in Aalborg, Denmark, after its landing gear failed to work; five passengers were injured.
Wednesday: Part of the landing gear on a Scandinavian Q400 collapsed after landing in Vilnius, Lithuania; the flight from Copenhagen, Denmark, to Palanga, Lithuania, had problems en route and was diverted to Vilnius; no one was hurt.
