# AD 2002-04-51: Crankshaft - Type: Emergency airworthiness directive - Status: Historical - Products: Lycoming Engines LTIO-540-F2BD, LTIO-540-J2B, LTIO-540-J2BD, TIO-540-A2B, TIO-540-A2C, TIO-540-AE2A, TIO-540-AH1A, TIO-540-J2B, TIO-540-J2BD, TIO-540-S1AD and TIO-540-U2A - Issued: February 11, 2002 - Issued as: Emergency AD - Superseded by: [AD 2002-17-53](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2002-17-53) - Product type: Engine - Docket: 2002-NE-03-AD - Registered aircraft: 5,717 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs) - FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/871BCA2F9E5D02B186256CCC006244A4.0001 - DRS record last changed: August 7, 2025 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/2002-04-51 ## The airworthiness directive AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES EMERGENCY RULES: 2002-04-51 CITATION: This information is not available. PAGE NUMBER: DOCKET NUMBER: 2002-NE-03-AD AMENDMENT: AD NUMBER: 2002-04-51 SUBJECT HEADING: Textron Lycoming LTIO-540 and TIO-540 engines ACTION: SUMMARY: DATES: ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman Perenson, Aerospace Engineer, New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 10 Fifth Street, 3rd floor, Valley Stream, NY 11581-1200; telephone (516) 256-7537; fax (516) 568-2716. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DATE: February 11, 2002 2002-04-51 Send to all U.S. owners and operators of Textron Lycoming LTIO-540 and TIO-540 engines. These engines are installed on, but not limited to Piper Navajo (PA 31, PA 31-350, and EMB-820), Piper Saratoga (PA 32-301T, PA 32R-301T, and PA 31-325), Piper Aerostar (PA 60-700P), Piper Malibu Mirage (PA 46-350P), Piper Mojave (PA 31P-350) El Gavilian (EL-1), and Cessna T-206. This Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) is prompted by reports of 14 crankshaft failures in LTIO-540 and TIO-540 engines, rated at 300 HP or higher, that were assembled with crankshafts manufactured from March 1, 1999, through December 31, 1999. This condition, if not corrected, could result in crankshaft failure, which could result in total engine power loss, in-flight engine failure and possible forced landing. Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other Textron Lycoming LTIO-540 and TIO-540 engines, rated at 300 HP or higher, that are listed by serial number (SN) in this AD, this AD requires removal of the crankshaft within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after receipt of this AD. This rule is issued under 49 U.S.C. Section 44701 (formerly section 601 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958) pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, and is effective immediately upon receipt of this emergency AD. REGULATORY TEXT: 2002-04-51 Textron Lycoming: Docket No. 2002-NE-03-AD Applicability This AD is applicable to all Textron Lycoming LTIO-540 and TIO-540 engines, rated at 300 HP or greater, that have a SN in the following Table: Table of Engine Serial Numbers (SN’s) MODELENGINE SNMODELENGINE SNMODELENGINE SN LTIO-540- F2BD1144-68ALTIO-540-J2B2310-68ALTIO-540-J2BD1255-68A LTIO-540- F2BD1272-68ALTIO-540-J2B2317-68ALTIO-540-J2BD1331-68A LTIO-540- F2BD1871-68ALTIO-540-J2B2455-68ALTIO-540-J2BD1457-68A LTIO-540- F2BD2645-68ALTIO-540-J2B2553-68ALTIO-540-J2BD1563-68A LTIO-540- F2BD2988-68ALTIO-540-J2B2675-68ALTIO-540-J2BD1941-68A LTIO-540-J2B345-68ALTIO-540-J2B2807-68ALTIO-540-J2BD1970-68A LTIO-540-J2B703-68ALTIO-540-J2B2968-68ALTIO-540-J2BD2330-68A LTIO-540-J2B1426-68ALTIO-540-J2BD172-68ALTIO-540-J2BD2485-68A LTIO-540-J2B1885-68ALTIO-540-J2BD186-68ALTIO-540-J2BD2667-68A LTIO-540-J2B1984-68ALTIO-540-J2BD355-68ALTIO-540-J2BD2846-68A LTIO-540-J2B2181-68ALTIO-540-J2BD1186-68ALTIO-540-J2BD2890-68A LTIO-540-J2BD2904-68ATIO-540-AE2A9822-61ATIO-540-AE2A10547-61A LTIO-540-J2BD2932-68ATIO-540-AE2A9853-61ATIO-540-AE2A10552-61A LTIO-540-J2BD2986-68ATIO-540-AE2A9939-61ATIO-540-AE2A10557-61A TIO-540-A2B2169-61ATIO-540-AE2A10072-61ATIO-540-AE2A10559-61A TIO-540-A2B4732-61ATIO-540-AE2A10173-61ATIO-540-AE2A10560-61A TIO-540-A2B6011-61ATIO-540-AE2A10338-61ATIO-540-AE2A10569-61A TIO-540-A2B6468-61ATIO-540-AE2A10382-61ATIO-540-AE2A10572-61A TIO-540-A2C2212-61ATIO-540-AE2A10387-61ATIO-540-AE2A10578-61A TIO-540-A2C3379-61ATIO-540-AE2A10393-61ATIO-540-AE2A10591-61A TIO-540-A2C3558-61ATIO-540-AE2A10405-61ATIO-540-AE2A10592-61A TIO-540-A2C4281-61ATIO-540-AE2A10408-61ATIO-540-AE2A10593-61A TIO-540-A2C7424-61ATIO-540-AE2A10427-61ATIO-540-AE2A10594-61A TIO-540-A2C7689-61ATIO-540-AE2A10436-61ATIO-540-AE2A10595-61A TIO-540-A2C7961-61ATIO-540-AE2A10441-61ATIO-540-AE2A10603-61A TIO-540-A2C7965-61ATIO-540-AE2A10448-61ATIO-540-AE2A10608-61A TIO-540-A2C8965-61ATIO-540-AE2A10449-61ATIO-540-AE2A10611-61A TIO-540-A2C9072-61ATIO-540-AE2A10451-61ATIO-540-AE2A10613-61A TIO-540-A2C9134-61ATIO-540-AE2A10453-61ATIO-540-AE2A10620-61A TIO-540-A2C9409-61ATIO-540-AE2A10455-61ATIO-540-AE2A10622-61A TIO-540-A2C9440-61ATIO-540-AE2A10459-61ATIO-540-AE2A10626-61A TIO-540-A2C9895-61ATIO-540-AE2A10462-61ATIO-540-AE2A10645-61A TIO-540-A2C9988-61ATIO-540-AE2A10463-61ATIO-540-AE2A10646-61A TIO-540-A2C10008-61ATIO-540-AE2A10464-61ATIO-540-AE2A10647-61A TIO-540-AE2A365-61ATIO-540-AE2A10466-61ATIO-540-AE2A10648-61A TIO-540-AE2A1634-61ATIO-540-AE2A10471-61ATIO-540-AE2A10649-61A TIO-540-AE2A1835-61ATIO-540-AE2A10479-61ATIO-540-AE2A10650-61A TIO-540-AE2A2543-61ATIO-540-AE2A10487-61ATIO-540-AE2A10754-61A TIO-540-AE2A2560-61ATIO-540-AE2A10488-61ATIO-540-AE2A10757-61A TIO-540-AE2A2650-61ATIO-540-AE2A10489-61ATIO-540-AE2A10761-61A TIO-540-AE2A2883-61ATIO-540-AE2A10495-61ATIO-540-AE2A10764-61A TIO-540-AE2A3184-61ATIO-540-AE2A10499-61ATIO-540-AE2A10785-61A TIO-540-AE2A4920-61ATIO-540-AE2A10502-61ATIO-540-AH1A9940-61A TIO-540-AE2A5468-61ATIO-540-AE2A10510-61ATIO-540-AH1A10343-61A TIO-540-AE2A6038-61ATIO-540-AE2A10534-61ATIO-540-AH1A10352-61A TIO-540-AE2A6711-61ATIO-540-AE2A10535-61ATIO-540-AH1A10378-61A TIO-540-AE2A6946-61ATIO-540-AE2A10536-61ATIO-540-AH1A10379-61A TIO-540-AE2A7825-61ATIO-540-AE2A10537-61ATIO-540-AH1A10398-61A TIO-540-AE2A8830-61ATIO-540-AE2A10540-61ATIO-540-AH1A10406-61A TIO-540-AE2A9777-61ATIO-540-AE2A10541-61ATIO-540-AH1A10434-61A TIO-540-AE2A9804-61ATIO-540-AE2A10545-61ATIO-540-AH1A10450-61A TIO-540-AE2A9808-61ATIO-540-AE2A10546-61ATIO-540-AH1A10456-61A TIO-540-AH1A10457-61ATIO-540-AH1A10680-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10446-61A TIO-540-AH1A10458-61ATIO-540-AH1A10688-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10452-61A TIO-540-AH1A10472-61ATIO-540-AH1A10701-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10454-61A TIO-540-AH1A10481-61ATIO-540-AH1A10703-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10469-61A TIO-540-AH1A10486-61ATIO-540-AH1A10714-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10470-61A TIO-540-AH1A10492-61ATIO-540-AH1A10735-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10473-61A TIO-540-AH1A10500-61ATIO-540-AJ1A4873-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10474-61A TIO-540-AH1A10501-61ATIO-540-AJ1A9442-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10477-61A TIO-540-AH1A10508-61ATIO-540-AJ1A9634-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10478-61A TIO-540-AH1A10519-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10059-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10483-61A TIO-540-AH1A10524-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10114-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10484-61A TIO-540-AH1A10530-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10188-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10490-61A TIO-540-AH1A10533-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10341-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10491-61A TIO-540-AH1A10567-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10354-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10496-61A TIO-540-AH1A10568-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10355-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10497-61A TIO-540-AH1A10570-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10356-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10503-61A TIO-540-AH1A10573-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10357-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10504-61A TIO-540-AH1A10581-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10362-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10506-61A TIO-540-AH1A10587-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10367-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10512-61A TIO-540-AH1A10588-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10369-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10514-61A TIO-540-AH1A10600-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10371-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10518-61A TIO-540-AH1A10607-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10372-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10520-61A TIO-540-AH1A10618-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10373-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10521-61A TIO-540-AH1A10619-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10376-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10525-61A TIO-540-AH1A10629-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10377-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10526-61A TIO-540-AH1A10632-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10384-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10527-61A TIO-540-AH1A10633-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10385-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10542-61A TIO-540-AH1A10634-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10388-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10543-61A TIO-540-AH1A10635-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10389-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10544-61A TIO-540-AH1A10640-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10390-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10551-61A TIO-540-AH1A10652-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10391-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10555-61A TIO-540-AH1A10653-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10400-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10561-61A TIO-540-AH1A10657-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10404-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10562-61A TIO-540-AH1A10658-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10416-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10563-61A TIO-540-AH1A10659-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10421-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10564-61A TIO-540-AH1A10664-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10428-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10565-61A TIO-540-AH1A10666-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10429-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10574-61A TIO-540-AH1A10671-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10437-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10579-61A TIO-540-AH1A10672-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10440-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10580-61A TIO-540-AH1A10678-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10444-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10582-61A TIO-540-AH1A10679-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10445-61ATIO-540-AJ1A10586-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10589-61ATIO-540-J2B2804-61ATIO-540-J2B10655-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10596-61ATIO-540-J2B3167-61ATIO-540-J2BD3818-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10601-61ATIO-540-J2B3218-61ATIO-540-J2BD3918-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10604-61ATIO-540-J2B3590-61ATIO-540-J2BD4209-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10605-61ATIO-540-J2B4492-61ATIO-540-J2BD4407-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10615-61ATIO-540-J2B4907-61ATIO-540-J2BD4710-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10616-61ATIO-540-J2B5305-61ATIO-540-J2BD4819-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10617-61ATIO-540-J2B5544-61ATIO-540-J2BD5049-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10624-61ATIO-540-J2B6743-61ATIO-540-J2BD5155-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10625-61ATIO-540-J2B6804-61ATIO-540-J2BD5218-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10628-61ATIO-540-J2B6837-61ATIO-540-J2BD6044-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10630-61ATIO-540-J2B6915-61ATIO-540-J2BD6092-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10631-61ATIO-540-J2B6942-61ATIO-540-J2BD6423-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10641-61ATIO-540-J2B7101-61ATIO-540-J2BD6896-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10654-61ATIO-540-J2B7948-61ATIO-540-J2BD7501-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10661-61ATIO-540-J2B8113-61ATIO-540-J2BD7795-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10662-61ATIO-540-J2B8192-61ATIO-540-J2BD8231-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10667-61ATIO-540-J2B8835-61ATIO-540-J2BD8617-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10668-61ATIO-540-J2B8852-61ATIO-540-J2BD8689-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10669-61ATIO-540-J2B9030-61ATIO-540-J2BD9164-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10673-61ATIO-540-J2B9071-61ATIO-540-J2BD9663-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10674-61ATIO-540-J2B9300-61ATIO-540-J2BD10067-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10675-61ATIO-540-J2B9307-61ATIO-540-J2BD10070-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10676-61ATIO-540-J2B9847-61ATIO-540-J2BD10394-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10686-61ATIO-540-J2B9917-61ATIO-540-J2BD10695-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10689-61ATIO-540-J2B10100-61ATIO-540-S1AD3421-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10690-61ATIO-540-J2B10301-61ATIO-540-S1AD3744-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10691-61ATIO-540-J2B10366-61ATIO-540-S1AD3875-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10693-61ATIO-540-J2B10423-61ATIO-540-S1AD7554-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10696-61ATIO-540-J2B10431-61ATIO-540-U2A4641-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10705-61ATIO-540-J2B10432-61ATIO-540-U2A4658-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10711-61ATIO-540-J2B10433-61ATIO-540-U2A4718-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10718-61ATIO-540-J2B10515-61ATIO-540-U2A7269-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10729-61ATIO-540-J2B10528-61ATIO-540-U2A8214-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10807-61ATIO-540-J2B10529-61ATIO-540-U2A8530-61A TIO-540-AJ1A10896-61ATIO-540-J2B10571-61ATIO-540-U2A9136-61A TIO-540-F2BD9560-61ATIO-540-J2B10576-61ATIO-540-U2A9892-61A TIO-540-J2B568-61ATIO-540-J2B10577-61ATIO-540-U2A10136-61A TIO-540-J2B1234-61ATIO-540-J2B10637-61ATIO-540-U2A10553-61A TIO-540-J2B2315-61ATIO-540-J2B10638-61ATIO-540-U2A10585-61A Note 1: This AD applies to each engine identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For engines that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it. Compliance Compliance with this AD is required within 10 hours TIS after receipt of this AD, unless already done. To prevent crankshaft failure, which could result in total engine power loss, in-flight engine failure and possible forced landing, do the following: (a) Remove from service, the crankshaft of all LTIO-540 and TIO-540 engines, rated at 300 HP or greater, that are listed by serial number in this AD. Note 2: Textron Lycoming Service Bulletin No. 550 addresses this action. (b) After receipt of this AD, do not install any crankshaft removed in accordance with paragraph (a). (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (NYACO). Operators must submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, NYACO. Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, if any, may be obtained from the NYACO (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with §§ 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where the requirements of this AD can be done. (e) Emergency AD 2002-04-51, issued February 11, 2002, becomes effective upon receipt. FOOTER: Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts on February 11, 2002. Jay J. Pardee, Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. ## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs) The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names. - [TCDS E14EA](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/E14EA): Lycoming Engines; names 11 of 40 models: LTIO-540-F2BD, TIO-540-J2BD, TIO-540-J2B, TIO-540-A2C, TIO-540-AH1A, TIO-540-S1AD, TIO-540-U2A, TIO-540-A2B… ## Registered aircraft it may apply to (OpenAirDocs) Matched by airframe and engine model; the AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment. - Aircraft: 5,717 (0 by airframe model, 5,717 by engine model) - Makers: Piper 4,211, Cessna 635, Mooney 222, Aero Commander 117, Bellanca 111, Smith 99, Rockwell International 93, Socata 51, New Piper 37, Gippsaero PTY 22 Models with the most aircraft: - [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series): 4,886 aircraft (engine model) - [Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-ae2a): 488 aircraft (engine model) - [Lycoming TIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-series): 191 aircraft (engine model) - [Lycoming TIO-540-AH1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-ah1a): 90 aircraft (engine model) - [Lycoming TIO-540-J2BD](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-j2bd): 24 aircraft (engine model) - [Lycoming TIO-540-S1AD](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-s1ad): 13 aircraft (engine model) - [Lycoming TIO-540-A2C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-a2c): 6 aircraft (engine model) - [Lycoming TIO-540-J2B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-j2b): 6 aircraft (engine model) - [Lycoming LTIO-540-J2BD](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ltio-540-j2bd): 5 aircraft (engine model) - [Lycoming TIO-540-A2B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-a2b): 4 aircraft (engine model) - [Lycoming TIO-540-U2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-u2a): 3 aircraft (engine model) - [Lycoming LTIO-540-F2BD](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ltio-540-f2bd): 1 aircraft (engine model) All 14 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/2002-04-51/models.md Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/2002-04-51/aircraft.md ## Related documents - [AD 2002-17-53](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2002-17-53) (historical): Crankshaft · Lycoming Engines LTIO-540-F2BD, LTIO-540-J2B, LTIO-540-J2BD and 36 more. Supersedes this AD Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs. ## NTSB investigations that cite this AD (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB DFW06LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06LA154), Jun 6, 2006: McClung Christian Eagle I (N181DM), Pocahontas, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power as a result of a fractured crankshaft due to fatigue. A factor was the engine modifications to increase engine horsepower. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.