Engines · piston (reciprocating) · data as of October 8, 2026

Continental IO-520 series

9,484 aircraft on the U.S. register carry a Continental IO-520 series engine, rated at about 285 horsepower. The Beechcraft V35 Bonanza is the model most often fitted with it (1,496 aircraft). The aircraft carrying it were built between 1963 and 2017.

The FAA records engines by code, usually at the level of a series ("O-320 series") rather than the exact variant; this page gathers every FAA code that reads as Continental IO-520 series. FAA spelling: IO 520 SERIES.

Fitted to model families

Model families, as a table

	aircraft
Beechcraft V35 Bonanza	1,496
Beechcraft A36 Bonanza	1,145
Cessna A185 Skywagon	1,143
Beechcraft F33 Bonanza	872
Cessna 210 Centurion	767
Cessna U206 Stationair	641
Beechcraft 58 Baron	466
Bellanca 17 Viking	456
Beechcraft S35 Bonanza	439
Cessna 310	303
Cessna A188	230
Beechcraft E-55	193

Beechcraft V35 Bonanza · Beechcraft A36 Bonanza · Cessna A185 Skywagon · Beechcraft F33 Bonanza · Cessna 210 Centurion · Cessna U206 Stationair · Beechcraft 58 Baron · Bellanca 17 Viking · Beechcraft S35 Bonanza · Cessna 310

Where they are owner's state

Texas1,047California791Alaska673Florida567Delaware326Arizona312Montana276Washington274Colorado265Georgia251

By state, as a table

	aircraft
Texas	1,047
California	791
Alaska	673
Florida	567
Delaware	326
Arizona	312
Montana	276
Washington	274
Colorado	265
Georgia	251

Kind of aircraft

Piston singles7,845 (83%)Piston twins1,371 (14%)Turboprops268 (3%)

By kind, as a table

	aircraft	share
Piston singles	7,845	83%
Piston twins	1,371	14%
Turboprops	268	3%

When the aircraft were built by decade

By decade built, as a table

	aircraft
1940	12
1950	37
1960	2,627
1970	4,534
1980	1,114
1990	189
2000	5
2010	2

What the FAA has certified, ordered and been told about the Continental IO-520 series the component layer

The design is held under 1 type certificate (E5CE, held by Continental Aerospace Technologies, INC.). The FAA has issued 30 airworthiness directives (orders that owners must comply with) that name this engine series. Operators and repair shops have filed 465 failure reports with the FAA since 1995, 26 of them in the last ten years.

FAA orders 30 airworthiness directives · newest first

2023-10-262023-17-04 · Reciprocating Engine Oil System · engine

2023-03-152023-05-16 · Reciprocating Engine Power Section · engine

2023-02-232023-04-08 · Reciprocating Engine Power Section · engine

2023-02-172023-02-12 · Engine Air Intake System · engine

2022-08-152022-16-03 · Engine (RECIPROCATING) · engine

2022-03-292022-04-04 · Reciprocating Engine Oil System · engine

All orders naming the Continental IO-520 series

Failure reports 465 since · what operators and shops told the FAA

Failure reports by year, as a table

	reports
95	15
96	2
97	1
98	1
99	5
00	37
01	48
02	58
03	46
04	35
05	62
06	17
07	18
08	17
09	10
10	20
11	15
12	13
13	9
14	10
15	12
16	4
17	2
18	1
19	2
20	2
22	1
24	2

Parts most often reported as the reports name them

Cylinder26Cylinder Head25Relay20Hub14Circuit Breaker13Antenna12Line12Bolt10Bracket9Control Cable9

Parts most reported, as a table

	reports
Cylinder	26
Cylinder Head	25
Relay	20
Hub	14
Circuit Breaker	13
Antenna	12
Line	12
Bolt	10
Bracket	9
Control Cable	9

Latest reports

2024-04-06Engine: power loss

2022-01-21None: none

2020-07-10Rod: broken

2020-01-15Turnbuckle: corroded

Certificates and bulletins

E5CEType certificate held by Continental Aerospace Technologies, INC. · 18 models listed · revised March 8, 2022

Safety bulletins 11 · advice, not orders

2020-04-06NE-20-05 · POWERPLANT - Engine Camshaft Gear Tooth Fracture

2018-06-20NE-18-16 · POWERPLANT Alternator Drive Coupling

2017-05-10NE-17-11 · POWERPLANT Engine damage as a result of kickback

2016-03-08NE-16-13 · Powerplant - Prohibited use of sealant

2013-02-08NE-13-15 · Engine Controls: Continental Motors, Inc. (CMI) Throttle and Mixture Control Levers

Sources: the FAA's type certificate data sheets, airworthiness directives, supplemental type certificates, special conditions and special airworthiness information bulletins (Dynamic Regulatory System), and the FAA's service difficulty reports. A failure report is what an operator or repair station chose to file; the counts show reporting as much as reliability, and larger and commercial fleets report more. How the systems are grouped.

Connections how this engine series links to the rest of the register

Fitted to

Beechcraft V35 Bonanza 1,496 with this engine series
Beechcraft A36 Bonanza 1,145 with this engine series
Cessna A185 Skywagon 1,143 with this engine series
Beechcraft F33 Bonanza 872 with this engine series
Cessna 210 Centurion 767 with this engine series
Cessna U206 Stationair 641 with this engine series
Beechcraft 58 Baron 466 with this engine series
Bellanca 17 Viking 456 with this engine series

Where they are

Texas 1,047 of these aircraft
California 791 of these aircraft
Alaska 673 of these aircraft
Florida 567 of these aircraft
Delaware 326 of these aircraft

Biggest operators

Bas Part Sales LLC 27 of these aircraft
International Air Services INC Trustee 12 of these aircraft
Gta Air INC 12 of these aircraft
Southern Aircraft Consultancy INC Trustee 11 of these aircraft
United States Department Of Interior 10 of these aircraft

Airworthiness

FAA orders naming the Continental IO-520 series 30 airworthiness directives
Failure reports on the Continental IO-520 series 465 reports since 1995

Analytics

The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/engine/continental-io-520-series.json.

Aircraft newest certificates first · 9,484

Tail no.	Maker and model	Group	Owner and base	Certificate	Registered	Status
N678EM	Beech A36	Fixed-wing, single engine	Aerospace Trust Management LLC Trustee Wilmington, Delaware	Standard	2016-09-21	Valid
N222VC	Beech E33A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2016-09-20	Valid
N248HS	Cessna T210M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Nevada	Standard	2016-09-20	Valid
N5811S	Beech S35	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Arizona	Standard	2016-09-20	Valid
N95CF	Beech F33A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Ues Bluesky Aviation LLC New Berlin, Wisconsin	Standard	2016-09-20	Valid
N646DC	Cessna A185F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Minnesota	Standard	2016-09-19	Valid
N73FP	Beech E33C	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Georgia	Standard	2016-09-19	Valid
N5722V	Beech 35-C33A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner California	Standard	2016-09-16	Valid
N161TR	Beech F33A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Idaho	Standard	2016-09-15	Valid
N3281K	Beech 58	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Wallace Architects LLC Columbia, Missouri	Standard	2016-09-15	Valid
N33A	Beech F33A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Neo Terra Aviation LLC Setauket, New York	Standard	2016-09-15	Valid
N4013A	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Florida	Standard	2016-09-15	Valid
N4751Q	Cessna A188B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner South Dakota	Restricted	2016-09-14	Valid
N17GV	Beech A36	Fixed-wing, single engine	Volker Management LLC Panama City Beach, Florida	Standard	2016-09-13	Valid
N6653V	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2016-09-13	Valid
N9286Q	Beech A36	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Illinois	Standard	2016-09-09	Valid
N1164W	Beech 95-C55	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Beaver Brook Aviation LLC Scotia, New York	Standard	2016-09-08	Valid
N1370Q	Cessna A185F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Nevada	Standard	2016-09-08	Valid
N234GL	Beech 35-C33A	Fixed-wing, single engine	L J Aircraft LLC Cedar City, Utah	Standard	2016-09-07	Valid
N5726K	Beech S35	Fixed-wing, single engine		Standard	2016-09-01	Valid
N6648D	Beech F33A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Washington	Standard	2016-09-01	Valid
N678MJ	Bellanca 17-30A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Piasa LLC Pacific, Missouri	Standard	2016-09-01	Valid
N7PR	Beech A36	Fixed-wing, single engine	Red Aero LLC Batesville, Indiana	Standard	2016-09-01	Valid
N7903K	Beech S35	Fixed-wing, single engine		Standard	2016-08-31	Valid
N23621	Beech A36	Fixed-wing, single engine	Excellance INC Madison, Alabama	Standard	2016-08-30	Valid
N2969T	Aero Commander 200D	Fixed-wing, single engine	Doskicz Aircraft Specialties INC Bally, Pennsylvania	Standard	2016-08-30	Valid
N34YK	Beech T-34B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner North Carolina	Standard	2016-08-30	Valid
N365H	Beech 95-B55 (T42A)	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Stavair LLC Gulf Breeze, Florida	Standard	2016-08-30	Valid
N6672K	Beech A36	Fixed-wing, single engine	Maremy LLC Ramona, California	Standard	2016-08-30	Valid
N925M	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Van Wylen Mary F Grand Rapids, Michigan	Standard	2016-08-30	Valid
N9287Q	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Elarel Corporation Lewes, Delaware	Standard	2016-08-30	Valid
N133EC	Beech F33A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Mf33A Enterprises LLC Amarillo, Texas	Standard	2016-08-29	Valid
N305WW	Beech E33A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Obrien Aviation INC Port Orange, Florida	Standard	2016-08-29	Valid
N504SJ	Beech A36	Fixed-wing, single engine	American Bonanza Society Air Safety Foundation INC Wichita, Kansas	Standard	2016-08-29	Valid
N6023Z	Beech A36	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner California	Standard	2016-08-29	Valid
N4867J	Beech 95-C55	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	National Aero Services LLC Helena, Montana	Standard	2016-08-26	Valid
N7176N	Beech D55	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Individual owner California	Standard	2016-08-26	Valid
N1299M	Cessna 210M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Florida	Standard	2016-08-25	Valid
N4545M	Beech 58	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Simplifly Aviation LLC Elon, North Carolina	Standard	2016-08-25	Valid
N614TM	Beech A36	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Pennsylvania	Standard	2016-08-25	Valid
N713PV	Beech F33A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Kentucky	Standard	2016-08-25	Valid
N185Z	Cessna A185E	Fixed-wing, single engine	Wab Air LLC Butte, Montana	Standard	2016-08-24	Valid
N3079B	Beech F33A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner New Jersey	Standard	2016-08-23	Valid
N9400G	Cessna U206E	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Tennessee	Standard	2016-08-23	Valid
N515PD	Beech F33A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Seals Welding & Fabircating INC Oxford, Alabama	Standard	2016-08-22	Valid
N6150C	Beech A36	Fixed-wing, single engine	Nantucket Aviation LLC Plymouth, Minnesota	Standard	2016-08-22	Valid
N95DB	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Florida	Standard	2016-08-22	Valid
N3489Y	Cessna A185F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Alaska	Restricted	2016-08-17	Valid
N7172N	Beech V35A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Courtney Mccutchen Insurance Agency INC Mertzon, Texas	Standard	2016-08-16	Valid
N7713R	Beech V35A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2016-08-16	Valid
N185SN	Cessna 185	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Alaska	Standard	2016-08-12	Valid
N4492J	Beech 58	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Individual owner Mississippi	Standard	2016-08-11	Valid
N1772W	Beech A36	Fixed-wing, single engine	Richland Flight Academy LLC Sidney, Montana	Standard	2016-08-10	Valid
N70231	Cessna A188B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Low Level Aero LLC Myakka City, Florida	Restricted	2016-08-10	Valid
N815JT	Beech F33A	Fixed-wing, single engine	L G T LLC Bronwood, Georgia	Standard	2016-08-10	Valid
N91DM	Cessna A185F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Alaska	Standard	2016-08-09	Valid
N99WG	Cessna 210M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2016-08-09	Valid
N5778K	Beech S35	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Washington	Standard	2016-08-08	Valid
N6703V	Bellanca 17-30A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Michigan	Standard	2016-08-05	Valid
N930BD	Beech 58	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Momentum Air LLC Brighton, Michigan	Standard	2016-08-05	Valid
N129X	Beech V35	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Ohio	Standard	2016-08-04	Valid
N3987G	Cessna U206C	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Ohio	Standard	2016-08-04	Valid
N817MW	Beech S35	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner New Jersey	Standard	2016-08-03	Valid
N81VT	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Double D Aircraft LLC Sergeant Bluff, Iowa	Standard	2016-08-03	Valid
N6734X	Beech 58	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Good Deal Charlie INC Russellville, Arkansas	Standard	2016-08-02	Valid
N1843F	Cessna 210F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Alabama	Standard	2016-08-01	Valid
N6742S	Beech A36	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Ohio	Standard	2016-07-29	Valid
N4963U	Cessna 210E	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner South Carolina	Standard	2016-07-28	Valid
N8196R	Beech E-55	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2016-07-28	Valid
N8178R	Beech A36	Fixed-wing, single engine	W L Landess LLC Guymon, Oklahoma	Standard	2016-07-27	Valid
N138TW	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Pennsylvania	Standard	2016-07-26	Valid
N335N	Beech S35	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Indiana	Standard	2016-07-20	Valid
N4581S	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Florida	Standard	2016-07-20	Valid
N7690N	Beech 36	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Colorado	Standard	2016-07-20	Valid
N210PE	Cessna 210J	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner California	Standard	2016-07-19	Valid
N4475A	Beech E-55	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Individual owner California	Standard	2016-07-15	Valid
N8948U	Beech S35	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner California	Standard	2016-07-15	Valid
N2993T	Aero Commander 200D	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Michigan	Standard	2016-07-14	Valid
N9098Q	Beech 58	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Buckeye Baron LLC Sunbury, Ohio	Standard	2016-07-13	Valid
N1583W	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Minnesota	Standard	2016-07-12	Valid
N4109B	Bellanca 17-30A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Ohio	Standard	2016-07-12	Valid
N8074R	Beech V35A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Georgia	Standard	2016-07-12	Valid
N2027D	Beech 58	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Individual owner Florida	Standard	2016-07-11	Valid
N3064W	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	David and Shirley Houchin LLC Crescent City, Florida	Standard	2016-07-11	Valid
N9444M	Cessna 210M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Triple Four Mike LLC Sand Springs, Oklahoma	Standard	2016-07-11	Valid
N2289L	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	One R Aviation LLC Newington, Connecticut	Standard	2016-07-05	Valid
N1CS	North American NAVION A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Florida	Standard	2016-07-01	Valid
N325MG	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Lock N Climb LLC Independence, Kansas	Standard	2016-07-01	Valid
N6170R	Cessna T210F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Alabama	Standard	2016-06-29	Valid
N38FC	Cessna A185F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Eagle Aero INC Lafayette, Louisiana	Standard	2016-06-28	Valid
N61438	Cessna A185F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Washington	Standard	2016-06-23	Valid
N3369S	Cessna 210J	Fixed-wing, single engine	C-210 Lc Atlantic, Iowa	Standard	2016-06-21	Valid
N203PL	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Hhj & Rbj Holdings LLC Prattville, Alabama	Standard	2016-06-20	Valid
N8599Q	Cessna U206F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Alaska	Standard	2016-06-17	Valid
N6576S	Beech A36	Fixed-wing, single engine	Beech Aviators LLC Brookings, South Dakota	Standard	2016-06-16	Valid
N114R	Beech 95-C55	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Individual owner Massachusetts	Standard	2016-06-14	Valid
N185FF	Cessna A185F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner New Mexico	Standard	2016-06-14	Valid
N39896	Bellanca 17-30A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Red Barn Flight LLC Sauk Rapids, Minnesota	Standard	2016-06-13	Valid
N4681F	Cessna P206A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner California	Standard	2016-06-13	Valid
N8657Q	Beech S35	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Ohio	Standard	2016-06-13	Valid

Source: FAA Civil Aviation Registry, Releasable Aircraft Database (the engine reference table and each aircraft's engine code), October 8, 2026. Horsepower and thrust are the FAA's figures for the series, not for a particular aircraft.

	reports
95	15
96	2
97	1
98	1
99	5
00	37
01	48
02	58
03	46
04	35
05	62
06	17
07	18
08	17
09	10
10	20
11	15
12	13
13	9
14	10
15	12
16	4
17	2
18	1
19	2
20	2
22	1
24	2

	reports
95	15
96	2
97	1
98	1
99	5
00	37
01	48
02	58
03	46
04	35
05	62
06	17
07	18
08	17
09	10
10	20
11	15
12	13
13	9
14	10
15	12
16	4
17	2
18	1
19	2
20	2
22	1
24	2

	reports
95	15
96	2
97	1
98	1
99	5
00	37
01	48
02	58
03	46
04	35
05	62
06	17
07	18
08	17
09	10
10	20
11	15
12	13
13	9
14	10
15	12
16	4
17	2
18	1
19	2
20	2
22	1
24	2