Qantas reported that five De Havilland Canada DHC-8-402Q Dash 8 aircraft operated by its regional airline QantasLink had been temporarily removed from service following an inspection by the airline of a main landing gear component.
During these inspections cracks were discovered in a major component of a landing gear fitting in five of its 21 DHC-8-Q400 aircraft, with the remaining 16 unaffected and to remain in service, according to the Australian Associated Press.
The inspections were probably carried out following two recent Airworthiness Directives:
- CF-2010-22 Main Landing Gear Stabilizer Extension Spring (August 10, 2010)
- CF-2010-23 Main Landing Gear – Failure to Extend (August 16, 2010)