DeHavilland Dash 8 - Safe?

Hey guys, I'm still learning about different aircraft, of course. I've always had a focus on jets rather than props. I've never flown on a prop. But here's my question: After seeing the Dash 8 fly into LGA a lot, and now into JFK as well, how safe are these aircraft? They have always been interesting aircraft in my opinion, but are they safe?

If you've flown on a Dash 8, please give me your take on the aircraft and it's feel/performance. If you haven't flown on it but know something about the aircraft, I'd like to hear from you as well. Thanks.

They've been flying for years without any major record of unsafe operation. They are a perfectly safe plane to fly on. I've flown then a number of times without hesitation.

They are extremely safe, in fact as far as Turboprop commuters go they have the longest heritage behind them over the 1900's, ATR's and Saab's. I have flown quite a few times between LGA and PHL on them in the process of commuting to Florida to fly when I lived up there and a intresting note about them is quite frequently you will notice that they will drop the gear before the flaps.(alot of times) Quite intresting but they are awesome planes.

Many times the general public has hesitation traveling on a "prop".

What these folks don't realize is that the power source is a turbine engine, just the propulsion comes from the blades.

A truly massive improvement over reciprocating piston power plant, especially in fuel economy, maintenance, and reliability.

I always felt "turbo prop" was a bad tag. I gives the image of a turbocharged piston engine, like in a car.

Should have been labeled a "turbine prop"

Hey guys, thanks so much for responding to the post. I never really had a hesitation on flying a prop over a jet, but now it seems I'll think about choosing prop over jet if I'm presented with the choice in the future. It should be interesting. I heard you feel everything on a prop; that's something I'd like to experience. And hearing how good the safety of this aircraft is makes me want to fly it even more. Thanks again for all replies.

Yes, the Dash 8 has a surperior safety record.

As far as how sturdy these turboprops look, I always thought the ATR seemed to be a step ahead of the rest...looking much more solid..almost like a DC-3 or Fokker prop, but the ATR actually seemed to have more exposure to de-iciing issues and as rickety as the Dash 8 appear to me, they operate safely in harsh climates.

Tom

I've been on 3 Types of turbo props.

2 flights on the Super King Air.
1 flight on a 1900D.
And one on a EMB-120.

My experiences on these were all totally smooth.

On the King Air I was able to be "junior FO" on both trips in the right seat.
Cruising altitude was 21 to 22,000 feet.

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Kingair is a great plane. I flew a 90 and a B200 for a little while as a F/O for a part 135. Great planes. As a passenger the ATR Saab and Dash 8. I think when I was really young I flew on a US Air Express Dash-7 in the Bahamas to like Miami or Lauderdale but I dont remember for sure who it was.