Not sure if it is indeed the case or not, but if so......

I would suspect it might have something to do with one of the warning systems, or the ability to evacuate the aircraft while on the ground. I'm just thinking out loud here, but they might have to take ALL electric power off of the aircraft in order to reset the computer. If that's the case, it might possibly render fire detection systems, emergency lighting, et al inop.

I have no clue about Q400 systems. The FAA doesn't allow us to have folks onboard when certain systems are inop (read: the ability to evacuate), so there might be a scenario that mandates the use of such a rule (if one does indeed exist).

DRW

I too took a double take at the thread title........'Colgan computer crash' is only one letter off from 'Colgan commuter crash'.