EASA AD US-2018-02-14
SUPERSEDED BY FAA AD 2018-17-15
Summary
FAA Airworthiness Directive 2018-02-14 is a final rule addressing certain Honeywell International Inc. TPE331 turboprop and TSE331 turboshaft engines. It requires inspections and replacement of combustion chamber case assemblies that have been reported to crack and rupture, posing a safety risk. The directive aims to prevent unsafe conditions caused by high stresses and weld joint issues in these engine components.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory inspections of affected combustion chamber case assemblies, replacement of cracked assemblies, and removal of certain assemblies from service. It updates service bulletin references to the latest revisions and clarifies inspection intervals aligned with fuel nozzle inspections. The directive also limits applicability to specific engine models and addresses repair weld procedures.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals to ensure engine safety and reliability by preventing combustion chamber case assembly failures. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to avoid potential engine ruptures that could lead to accidents. It affects maintenance planning, inspection schedules, and parts replacement strategies for affected Honeywell TPE331 and TSE331 engines.
What To Do
Affected operators must perform an initial visual inspection of the combustion chamber case assemblies within 50 hours of operation and conduct repetitive inspections aligned with fuel nozzle inspections, not exceeding 450 hours. Cracked assemblies must be replaced promptly, and certain high-risk assemblies removed by the specified compliance date. The directive is effective February 28, 2018, and incorporates updated Honeywell service bulletins for guidance.
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