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2015-18-03: Engine propeller shaft coupling failures

FAA order 2015-18-03 is an airworthiness directive in force since November 13, 2015. The FAA's subject line: Engine propeller shaft coupling failures. It names the Honeywell TPE331-10, Honeywell TPE331-10R, Honeywell TPE331-10U, Honeywell TPE331-5, Honeywell TPE331-series engines: about 60 aircraft on the U.S. register today across them, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: engine.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product: Engine
Makes: Honeywell International Inc.
Models: TPE331-10, TPE331-10R, TPE331-10U, TPE331-10UF, TPE331-10UG, TPE331-10UGR, TPE331-10UR, TPE331-5, TPE331-5A, TPE331-5AB, TPE331-5B
Engine series: Honeywell TPE331-10 13 aircraft
Honeywell TPE331-10R 13 aircraft
Honeywell TPE331-10U 4 aircraft
Honeywell TPE331-5 2 aircraft
Honeywell TPE331-series 28 aircraft

Dates and paperwork

In force since: November 13, 2015
Published: October 23, 2015 (signed October 2, 2015)
Docket: FAA-2012-0913
Status: Current
The FAA's document: Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Honeywell International Inc. TPE331-5, -5A, -5AB, -5B, -10, -10R, -10U, -10UF, -10UG, -10UGR, and -10UR model turboprop engines. This AD was prompted by engine propeller shaft coupling failures, leading to unexpected propeller pitch changes causing increased aerodynamic and asymmetric drag on the airplanes using these engines. This AD requires removing certain part number (P/N) engine propeller shaft couplings from service. This AD also requires inserting a copy of certain airplane operating procedures into applicable flight manuals. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of airplane control, leading to an accident.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (4,789 characters)

Adoption of the Amendment 

	Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: 

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 

0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: 

	Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 

Sec.  39.13  [Amended] 

0 2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): 

2015-18-03 Honeywell International Inc. (Type Certificate previously held by AlliedSignal Inc., Garrett Engine Division; Garrett Turbine Engine Company; and AiResearch Manufacturing Company of Arizona): Docket No. FAA-2012-0913; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-23-AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

	This AD is effective November 13, 2015. 

(b) Affected ADs 

	None. 

(c) Applicability 

	This AD applies to Honeywell International Inc. TPE331-5, -5A, - 5AB, -5B, -10, -10R, -10U, -10UF, -10UG, -10UGR, and -10UR model turboprop engines, with an engine propeller shaft coupling, part number (P/N) 3107065-1, 865888-3, 865888-6, or 865888-8, installed. 

(d) Unsafe Condition 

	This AD was prompted by engine propeller shaft coupling failures, leading to unexpected propeller pitch changes causing increased aerodynamic and asymmetric drag on the airplanes using these engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of airplane control, leading to an accident. 

(e) Compliance 

	Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. 
	(1) Engines Installed in Mitsubishi MU-2B Series (MU-2 Series) Airplanes: 
	(i) Remove from service the affected engine propeller shaft coupling at the earliest of the following: 
	(A) Next piece-part exposure; or 
	(B) Next turbine (hot) section inspection (HSI); or 
	(C) Before accumulating an additional 1,200 cycles after the effective date of this AD. 
	(2) Engines Installed in Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA) C-212 Series, and Twin Commander 690 and 695 Series (Jetprop Commander) Airplanes: 
	(i) Remove from service the affected engine propeller shaft coupling at the earliest of the following: 
	(A) Next piece-part exposure; or 
	(B) Next turbine HSI; or 
	(C) Before accumulating an additional 2,400 cycles after the effective date of this AD. 
	(3) Engines Installed in British Aerospace Jetstream 3101 Series, Dornier Luftfahrt Dornier 228 Series, and M7 (formerly Fairchild, Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 Series Airplanes, and all other airplanes not listed in this AD using affected engines: 
	(i) Remove from service the affected engine propeller shaft coupling at the earliest of the following: 
	(A) Next piece-part exposure; or 
	(B) Next turbine HSI; or 
	(C) Before accumulating an additional 3,600 cycles after the effective date of this AD. 
	(4) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, for all airplanes that use the affected engines, insert a copy of Figure 1 to paragraph (e) of this AD, into the Emergency Procedures Section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM), Pilot Operating Handbook (POH), and the Manufacturer's Operating Manual (MOM). 

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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR09OC15.000 

(f) Definition 

	For the purpose of this AD, next piece-part exposure is when the nose cone assembly is removed from the engine. 

(g) Installation Prohibition 

	After the effective date of this AD, do not install any engine propeller shaft coupling, P/N 3107065-1, 865888-3, 865888-6, or 865888-8, into any engine. 

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) 

	The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your request. 

(i) Related Information 

	(1) For more information about this AD, contact Joseph Costa, Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5246;fax: 562-627-5210; email: joseph.costa@faa.gov. 
	(2) Allied-Signal Aerospace Company Service Bulletin No. TPE331- 72-0873, Revision 1, dated May 20, 1993 and Honeywell International Inc. Operating Information Letter OI331-26, dated March 2, 2010, which are not incorporated by reference in this AD, can be obtained from Honeywell International, using the contact information in paragraph (i)(3) of this AD. 
	(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Honeywell International Inc., 111 S. 34th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034- 2802; phone: 800-601-3099; Internet: http://portal.honeywell.com. 
	(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125. 

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference 

	None.

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of October 7, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2015-18-03.json · aircraft systems.