The first operator of Tecnam’s P2012 Traveller 11-seat mini-airliner, Cape Air, has temporarily grounded its fleet of the twin-engine aircraft.
It is a voluntary grounding while the operator, Tecnam and both the US FAA and European EASA authorities agree on proposed modifications to the elevator trim system.
A Tecnam spokeperson said, “Cape air currently is our main customer, but not the only operator of the P2012 Traveller. Tecnam proactively works with the carrier to implement improvements to the P2012 as soon as they become available, with the ultimate goal of providing operators and passengers with the best possible flight experience.”
Tecnam says its Constant Improvement Programme (CIP) is offered to all P2012 operators at no charge. It includes minor improvements, such as new-style life-vest holders, holders for gust-lock bars or for company manuals, as well as various improvements that are capable of extending the service life of the aircraft.
Part of the improvement program involved components of the elevator trim control system, designed and manufactured to increase their long-term reliability and already embodied on all the P2012 aircraft.
As the FAA were informed about these design changes, additional clarification requests related to the reasons behind some of those modifications were raised.
As a result, a roundtable discussion between the FAA, EASA and Tecnam was established. In order to allow the authorities time to assess and process these clarifications without pressure, Cape Air unilaterally decided to keep its fleet temporarily on the ground.
Giovanni Pascale Langer, Tecnam Managing Director, said: “It is always disturbing to hear the word grounded when referring to an aircraft.
“However, we would like to make it clear that this action is not related to technical issues or safety, but only for authority inspection of certain proposed changes.
“The safety of this aircraft is widely demonstrated by the rest of the P2012 Travellers currently in service, including both Tecnam-owned test aircraft which have accumulated hundreds of hours in the most demanding flight-test conditions, far away from the typical airline mission profile.
“Nevertheless, Tecnam is always fully committed to customers’ decisions and open to any discussions aimed at improvements introduced to the fleet.”
