FAA Maintenance Alerts

POWERPLANTS
Honeywell: TPE331-14GR-801Z; Obstructed Fuel Filter; ATA 7310
(The following discrepancy report references a Grumman/Marsh S2F3AT airplane.) A lead quality control inspector for this repair station writes, “During this aircraft’s 200 hour progressive inspection of the L/H engine fuel manifold (P/N 3105455-1), the in-line 40 micro fuel filter (P/N 337-541-9106) was removed to inspect for fuel limitation issues. The filter screen was found to be clogged and collapsed. This filter is not referenced in the Honeywell Illustrated Parts Catalog (73-20-40 page 0) and it is not required to be inspected and/or cleaned during routine or special inspections. This filter needs to be removed, inspected, and cleaned every 200-flight hours until a suitable solution to this issue is found by the engine manufacturer. A collapsed filter could lead to fuel limitation and performance issues—and improper troubleshooting by maintenance technicians. “Honeywell technical representatives have been contacted and (they) are aware of this (problem). Since then several filters have been found clogged and collapsed on other, same type aircraft and engines. Other, similar engine installations could (also) have this manifold/filter installed.”