The turbo-prop aircraft Dash 8 Q400 that Shree Airlines is operating presently has been encountering the same problem from 12 years. The issue related bearing failure has been recurring time and again in the history of the Dash 8 aircraft.
The repetition of the same problem in this particular turbo-prop aircraft has prompted the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to correspond with the aircraft manufacturer in Canada, Bombardier.
“The bearing failure detected in the turbo-prop aircraft manufactured by Bombardier for Shree Airlines is not new; a similar issue was observed in Australia before,” said a CAAN official. “Such problems are not considered normal in aircraft operation. Therefore, we have communicated with Bombardier regarding this issue.”
Shree Airline’s ‘9N-ANC’ turbo-prop aircraft had been grounded due to technical issues two weeks ago. The problem was observed after the Kathmandu – Dhangadhi flight on the night of March 5. Subsequently, CAAN had instructed Shree Airlines to inspect all of its aircraft.
Following CAAN’s instructions, Shree Airlines conducted inspections and updated all its aircraft. After a two-day study of the aircraft where technical issues were observed, CAAN corresponded with Bombardier.
The Bombardier turbo-prop aircraft used in domestic flights proving to be efficient in Nepal, known as the ‘Q-400’, has also been proven efficient worldwide.
