(New press release: )

Release 3: Regarding Scandinavian Airlines flight SK2748

Scandinavian Airlines regrets to confirm that one of its aircraft, a Dash 8-400 (Q400) with flight number SK2748 from Copenhagen to Palanga (Lithuania) has been involved in an accident. The aircraft experienced technical difficulties and the crew decided to divert to Vilnius Airport (Lithuania) where the accident occurred at 01:36 hrs local time today.

Although no further details of the accident are available at the moment we can confirm that there are 48 passengers and 4 crew onboard. All passengers were evacuated after landing and no injuries are reported.

A team of specially trained SAS personnel is currently on its way to Vilnius to assist all passengers and crew.

The Canadian manufacturer of Dash 8-400, Bombardier, is in the process of developing an inspection programme. As a precautionary measure, Bombardier is highly recommending that all aircraft worldwide of this type with 10,000 landing gear cycles or more will be grounded until the recommended inspection is carried out.

Scandinavian Airlines and Widerøe have already decided to ground the entire fleet of Dash 8-400 aircraft until further notice. No aircraft will be released for operations until these inspections have been carried out on all aircraft.

All tickets on Scandinavian Airlines flights booked until Sunday 16 September may be rebooked. Inquiries about rebooking shall be directed to the place of purchase.

Information about cancelled flights can be found at http://www.sas.dk and http://www.sas.se.

Next-of-kin to passengers on SK2748 can contact SAS at the following numbers:
+45 32 32 60 01
+372 605 85 75

The media information center can be contacted at the following number:
+46 8 797 29 44