Operating Information Letter

Honeywell International
1944 E. Sky Harbor Circle
Phoenix, AZ 85034

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE TO ALL AFFECTED FLIGHT CREW MEMBERS AND

MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL
TO:

APPLICATIONS:

All Owners/Operators, Airframe Manufacturers, Distributors,

Sales and Service Organizations, and Field Service
Representatives
All TPE331 Models:
TPE331-All

PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Operating Information Letter is to provide a
description of the engine symptoms and recommended actions in
the event of an uncoupling event. An uncoupling scenario is
defined as a disengagement of any of the engine gearbox
components which make up the gear reduction drive from the
ring gear support to the splined propeller shaft coupler. This
separation typically occurs while the engine is at higher torque
levels, but may also occur at lower torque levels.
This OIL is not intended to be used in lieu of the applicable
aircraft manuals. If these recommendations conflict with aircraft
manual procedures, Honeywell recommends you contact the
aircraft OEM for clarification.

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OI331-26R1
September 22, 2014

Operating Information Letter

Honeywell International
1944 E. Sky Harbor Circle
Phoenix, AZ 85034

WARNING
WARNING: In the event of an uncoupling event where the engine is
operating and the propeller is stopped and feathered, retarding the power
lever to flight idle may result in the unfeathering of the propeller,
repositioning of the freewheeling propeller blades at the low pitch stop and
subsequent rotation of the propeller, with no negative torque sensing (NTS)
occurring. Propeller blades at the low pitch stop will create more drag than
in the feather position and could result in the loss of aircraft control,
serious injury or death to personnel and loss of the aircraft.

DISCUSSION
The propeller of an engine that has experienced an uncoupling scenario will move
quickly toward feather until the feather stop position blade angle is reached; at the same
time, the engine will accelerate to the Over Speed Governor (OSG) set point of
approximately 104% RPM and remain at that speed until the engine is shut down.

Typical propeller and engine parameters following an uncoupling event:

Propeller blades.Feathered
Engine speed..104% RPM (Approximate)
Torque...0% (Approximate)
In the event of an engine uncoupling, the pilot should follow the emergency engine shut
down and securing procedures in accordance with the FAA approved Aircraft Flight
Manual.
Note: Prior to performing the emergency shutdown procedure, advancing and
maintaining the Power Lever (PL) of the affected engine to the full forward position
will ensure the availability of beta follow-up and that the propeller blades will remain
in the feathered position.
Movement of the PL to the maximum forward position following the uncoupling event
does not change the operating parameters of the engine. However, reducing the PL
after a decouple event may cause the propeller to come out of feather, slew toward the
low pitch stop and to begin rotating, which will result in increased drag. Additionally,
depending upon the airspeed of the airplane during the event, it could result in a
propeller overspeed (greater than 100% propeller speed). The increased drag and the
potential of a propeller overspeed can be avoided by advancing and maintaining the
power lever fully forward until the engine has been shut down.
For further assistance, contact the Honeywell Technical Operations Center at 1-800-601-3099
(U.S.) or 1-602-365-3099 (International).
END
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OI331-26R1
September 22, 2014