Much like everyone else said, the Q-400 is perfectly fine and you shouldn't let the Buffalo incident scare you away. The Ethopian plane that went down over the weekend was a 737 but, while very tragic, it won't make me book away from that plane type.

According to my FM, I've got 44 segments on Dash-8's (not all Colgan Q's but most of them) and I can tell you that if you want to be subjected to the least amount of engine noise, stay away from rows 8 - 12 (closest to the props). Also, the last 2 rows, while they're quieter, have slightly less pitch so if you're tall they might not be the best idea either.

If you're Plat or Gold, try to book 1B...you'll have infinite legroom, you'll be the first one off the plane, and you can chat up the FA if you like.

One word of warning though: if the FA is training someone or being proctored by a senior on that flight, you'll be removed from 1B and put wherever they want to stick you. I've had that happen only twice but it was a royal bummer both times.