Cape Air temporarily grounds Tecnam props citing regulatory review of 'modifications'
Cape Air has temporarily grounded its fleet of Tecnam P2012 Travellers just six months after introducing the props on passenger flights.
The Hyannis, Massachusetts-based regional carrier voluntarily suspended Traveller flying to "allow time for the Federal Aviation Administration [FAA] and the European Aviation Safety Agency [EASA] to have a dialogue regarding recent modifications," Cape Air spokesperson Kelly Collopy told TPG. She did not provide additional details.
The modifications are to changes in the mechanical operation of the "elevator trim control system" and not related to any "technical or mechanical issue," according to an internal memo cited by PaxEx.Aero that first reported the grounding.
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more airline news!
The Traveller is the result of a joint development program between Cape Air and Italy's Tecnam. The twin-engine prop was specifically designed to replace the airline's aging fleet of Cessna 402s.
Cape Air CEO Dan Wolf described the Traveller as a "great airplane for us" in an interview with TPG in June. He did not mention any teething issues with the prop despite agreeing that they are common with all-new airplanes.
"Launching an airplane in an environment where demand is relatively low is actually a good way to do it," he said. "As we're learning about the airplane, we can do it when we're not carrying very many people."
Cape Air had 11 Travellers in its fleet at the time with 20 due by year-end, according to Wolf. This compares to a fleet of more than 80 Cessnas.
Related: Onboard Cape Air's all-new Tecnam Traveller to Nantucket
To date, it appears that Cape Air has been able to replace the Travellers with Cessna 402s on most scheduled flights, according to FlightAware data.
Cape Air introduced the nine-seat Traveller on passenger flights to Nantucket (ACK) in February. The plane is more efficient than the Cessnas and outfitted with numerous passenger comforts lacking on the older prop, including under-seat storage space, USB power outlets and air conditioning.
Prior to the suspension, Cape Air was flying the Traveller on routes in its Midwestern network from Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Nashville (BNA) and St. Louis (STL), Cirium schedules show. It was also flying the prop between Boston Logan (BOS) and Rutland, Vermont (RUT).
Cape Air did not provide a timeline for the end of the suspension. Tecnam was not immediately available to comment.
Related: How New England's Cape Air is navigating the coronavirus crisis
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app