Cessna TTx discontinued after facing economic challenges and quality issues

- Crew: 1 pilot

- Capacity: 3 passengers

- Length: 25 ft 2 in (7.67 m)

- Wingspan: 36 ft 1 in (11.00 m)

- Height: 9 ft (2.74 m)

- Wing area: 141 sq ft (13.1 m²)

- Empty weight: 2,500 lb (1,134 kg)

- Max takeoff weight: 3,600 lb (1,633 kg)

- Powerplant: Teledyne Continental TSIO-550-C air-cooled flat-6 engine

- Engine power: 310 hp (230 kW)

A notable feature of the Columbia 400 was an optional ice protection system known as E-Vade. Though not certified for operation with known icing conditions, it provided ice protection on leading edges using specialized heat-conducting graphite foil panels powered by a dedicated alternator.

Richard L. Collins of FLYING Magazine reviewed the airplane in 2006 and remarked, “Someone asked me if I could come up with one word to describe the G1000 [equipped] Columbia 400... Then I dismissed them all and decided on ‘airplane,’ because the Columbia 400 is truly what an airplane should be.”

The avionics suite included dual Attitude and Heading Reference Systems, a GFC700 autopilot, Garmin GTS800 traffic avoidance system, Garmin GTX33ES transponder with ADS-B capability, and Garmin Electronic Stability Protection System.

Economic challenges during the late-2000s recession affected manufacturing significantly. Production moved to Chihuahua, Mexico before final assembly in Independence, Kansas—a shift that resulted in loss of experienced labor and tribal knowledge crucial for quality control. Issues related to temperature control during manufacturing further affected structural integrity.

Despite efforts to ramp up production post-recession at new facilities, sales declined rapidly due to quality issues. By February 2018, only a total of around seven hundred Cessna TTx units had been built before production ceased.

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