Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-14674 · Honeywell International Inc. TPE331 Series Turboprop, and TSE331-3U Model Turboshaft Engines
Honeywell International Inc. TPE331 Series Turboprop, and TSE331-3U Model Turboshaft Engines
This AD applies to Honeywell International Inc. TPE331-1, -1U, -1UA, -2, -2UA, -3U, -3UW, -3W, -5, -5A, -5AB, -5B, -5U, -6, -6A, -6U, -8, -8A, -9, -9U, -10, -10A, -10AV, -10B, -10G, -10GP, -10GR, -10GT, -10J, -10N, -10P, -10R, -10T, -10U, -10UA, -10UF, -10UG, -10UGR, -10UJ, -10UK, -10UR, -11U, -11UA, -12, -12B, -12JR, -12UA, -12UAR, -12UER, and -12UHR series turboprop and TSE331-3U model turboshaft engines. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, the following aircraft:
| Manufacturer | Airplane model |
|---|---|
| Aero Planes, LLC (formerly McKinnon Enterprises) | G-21G. |
| Allied AG Cat Productions (formerly Schweizer) | G-164 series. |
| Ayres | S-2R series. |
| British Aerospace Ltd (formerly Jetstream) | 3201 series, and HP.137 Jetstream MK.1. |
| Cessna Aircraft Company | 441 Conquest. |
| Construcciones Aeronauticas, s.a. (CASA) | C-212 series. |
| DeHavilland | DH104 series 7AXC (Dove). |
| Dornier | 228 series. |
| Fairchild | SA226 AND SA227 series (Swearingen Merlin and Metro series). |
| Grumman American | G-164 series. |
| Mitsubishi | MU-2B series (MU-2 series). |
| Pilatus | PC-6 series (Fairchild Porter and Peacemaker). |
| Polskie Zaklady Lotnicze Spolka (formerly Wytwornia Sprzetu Komunikacyjnego) | PZL M18, PZL M18A, PZL M18B. |
| Prop-Jets, Inc. | 400. |
| Raytheon Aircraft (formerly Beech) | C45G, TC-45G, C-45H, TC-45H, TC-45J, G18S, E18S-9700, D18S, D18C, H18, RC-45J, JRB-6, UC-45J, 3N, 3NM, 3TM, B100, C90, and E90. |
| Shorts Brothers and Harland, Ltd. | SC7 (Skyvan) series. |
| Thrush (Rockwell Commander) | S-2R. |
| Twin Commander (Jetprop Commander) | 680 and 690 series. |
| Manufacturer | Helicopter Model |
| Sikorsky | S-55 series (Helitec Corp. S55T). |
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Honeywell International Inc. TPE331 series turboprop, and TSE331-3U model turboshaft engines. This AD requires implementing a new flight cycle counting method for first, second, and third-stage turbine rotors used in aircraft that make multiple takeoffs and landings without an engine shutdown, and removing turbine rotors from service that have reached or exceeded their cycle life limits. This new flight cycle counting method requires determining total equivalent cycles accrued. This AD results from several reports of uncontained turbine rotor separation on engines used in special-use operations. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the turbine rotor due to low-cycle-fatigue (LCF), and damage to the aircraft.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the actions have already been done.
For turbine rotors installed before the effective date of this AD, and currently or previously used in special-use operations:
(1) Within 100 major cycles-in-service after the effective date of this AD, or upon removal of the turbine rotor(s) from the engine, whichever occurs first, do the following:
(i) Determine the total equivalent cycles accrued for turbine rotors. Use paragraph 2.A. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable Honeywell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) for your model engines listed in the following Table A, to make the determination.
| For engines | Use ASB No. | Turbine rotor removal schedule |
|---|---|---|
| (A) TPE331-1 through −6 series and TSE331-3U model | TPE331-A72-2111, dated November 12, 2002 | Use ASB Table 1. |
| (B) TPE331-8 through -9 series | TPE331-A72-2123, dated February 8, 2006 | Use ASB table 1. |
| (C) TPE331-10 through-11 series | TPE331-A72-2130, dated September 27, 2005 | Use ASB Table 1. |
| (D) TPE331-12 series | TPE331-A72-2131, dated September 27, 2005 | Use ASB Table 1. |
(ii) If you are unable to determine equivalent cycles for prior special-use operations due to the absence of actual data regarding the number of takeoffs and landings per major cycle, you must use a onetime ratio of six takeoffs and landings per major cycle to estimate prior special-use equivalent cycles for each turbine rotor.
(iii) For each turbine rotor affected on the Life Limited Part Log Card, record the total equivalent cycles accrued, as determined in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (f)(1)(ii) of this AD, by complying with the recording requirements for your model engine listed in the following Table B:
| For engines | Record using |
|---|---|
| (A) TPE331-1 through -6 series and TSE331-3U model | Honeywell SB No. TPE/TSE331-72-0019, Revision 22, dated May 16, 2001. |
| (B) TPE331-8 through -9 series | AlliedSignal SB No. TPE331-72-0117, Revision 11, dated November 13, 1997. |
| (C) TPE331-10 through -11 series | Honeywell SB No. TPE331-72-0180, Revision 31, dated November 7, 2003. |
| (D) TPE331-12 series | Honeywell SB No. TPE331-72-0476, Revision 27, dated September 17, 2003. |
(2) Remove from service turbine rotors affected by paragraph (f) of this AD using the applicable Turbine Rotor Removal Schedule in Table A of this AD, or, within nine months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
For used turbine rotors installed on or after the effective date of this AD, and currently or previously used in special-use operations:
(1) Before further flight, determine and record total equivalent cycles using paragraphs (f)(1)(i) through (f)(1)(iii) of this AD.
(2) Remove from service, turbine rotors affected by paragraph (g) of this AD using the applicable Turbine Rotor Removal Schedule in Table A of this AD.
For all new (zero cycles) turbine rotors installed on or after the effective date of this AD used in special-use operations:
(1) Use the new counting method by counting and recording minor and major cycles when accrued, and determine equivalent cycles by the method described in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (f)(1)(iii) of this AD.
(2) Using the ratio of six takeoffs and landings per major cycle for unknown cycle history, as referenced in paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this AD, is not permitted.
(i) An engine used in special-use operations is defined as an engine that accrues major and minor cycles and is installed in an aircraft that makes multiple takeoffs and landings without engine shutdown.
(j) Total equivalent cycles, is that combination of major and minor cycles as specified in the Honeywell ASBs listed in Table A of this AD.
(k) Total equivalent cycle life limits listed in the ASBs, are the cycle life limits specified in the SBs listed in Table B of this AD.
(l) The “recording of total equivalent cycles on the Life Limited Part Log Card” is that same procedure specified for “accumulated cycles” or “total cycles” in the SBs listed in Table B of this AD.
(m) “Turbine rotors” include first, second, and third stage seal plates, air seals, rotor disks, wheels, and assemblies, and are parts that have part numbers specified in the ASBs listed in Table A of this AD.
(n) A major cycle is an engine start, takeoff, landing, and shutdown.
(o) A minor cycle, which occurs within a major cycle, is an additional landing with an engine speed reduction to ground idle with no engine shutdown followed by a takeoff.
(p) A “used turbine rotor” is a turbine rotor whose cycles-since-new are more than zero.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
