The FAA has issued an airworthiness concern sheet for G-164 aircraft that have a TPE331 series engine installed. The TPE331 series engines have a known airworthiness concern in which the Propeller Pitch Control (PPC) lever could loosen and detach. For more details, please read the Airworthiness Concern Sheet (ACS).
The FAA has asked NAAA to disseminate this information to the industry. The ACS sheet requests that any operators with TPE331 engines installed on their aircraft inspect the PPC lever for proper tightness and notify the FAA point of contact listed in the ACS with the make, model and serial number of your aircraft and the certification basis for the engine installation. Please respond to the ACS if you are affected by it.
While the ACS is specific to Ag-Cats, the FAA has indicated it is also interested in reaching out to operators who have other types of aircraft that have had a TPE331 engine installed via an STC or Form 337.
If you would like information on how to rectify the issue detailed in the ACS, you can contact Bruce Hubler at Bruce.Hubler@taeaerospace.com.
