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
N16DA	Beech 58	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Donaire Aviation LLC Tampa, Florida	Standard	2016-06-08	Valid
N77FH	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2016-06-08	Valid
N650PV	Beech 95-C55	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Individual owner Pennsylvania	Standard	2016-06-07	Valid
N94219	Cessna A185F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Arizona	Restricted	2016-06-07	Valid
N275B	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Oregon	Standard	2016-06-06	Valid
N4440B	Bellanca 17-30A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Ohio	Standard	2016-06-06	Valid
N7949K	Beech S35	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Nevada	Standard	2016-06-02	Valid
N422BK	Cessna A185F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Georgia	Restricted	2016-06-01	Valid
N305SL	Cessna A185E	Fixed-wing, single engine	Sealand Airways Miami LLC Miami, Florida	Standard	2016-05-31	Valid
N25717	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Vaadi LLC Babson Park, Florida	Standard	2016-05-26	Valid
N5860F	Cessna 210G	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2016-05-25	Valid
N121AM	Beech F33A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Eastern Stearman INC Trustee Leesburg, Virginia	Standard	2016-05-24	Valid
N168M	Beech V35A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Alaska	Standard	2016-05-24	Valid
N6967B	Cessna 210M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Chalk 2 INC Apple Valley, California	Standard	2016-05-19	Valid
N732JZ	Cessna 210L	Fixed-wing, single engine	Chalk 2 INC Apple Valley, California	Standard	2016-05-19	Valid
N761AG	Cessna 210M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Chalk 2 INC Apple Valley, California	Standard	2016-05-19	Valid
N4634F	Cessna P206A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Cardinal Air LLC Wynantskill, New York	Standard	2016-05-18	Valid
N315AB	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Arizona	Standard	2016-05-17	Valid
N762T	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Fair Skies LLC East Meadow, New York	Standard	2016-05-13	Valid
N8172R	Beech 58	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Derby City Aviation LLC Vero Beach, Florida	Standard	2016-05-12	Valid
N5565X	Beech F33A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner California	Standard	2016-05-10	Valid
N584DG	Beech 58	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	N584Dg LLC Nashua, New Hampshire	Standard	2016-05-10	Valid
N715YC	Cessna 310R	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Yankcanuck Flight Dreams INC Weston, Wisconsin	Standard	2016-05-10	Valid
N2223T	Cessna A185E	Fixed-wing, single engine	C & R Leasing LLC Fairbanks, Alaska	Multiple	2016-05-09	Valid
N1BD	Beech A45	Fixed-wing, single engine	Floyds Aero INC Amarillo, Texas	Experimental	2016-05-06	Valid
N3786Y	Cessna 210D	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Ohio	Standard	2016-05-06	Valid
N8080V	Cessna A188	Fixed-wing, single engine	Tri Rotor Spray & Chemical Ulysses, Kansas	Standard	2016-05-06	Valid
N941A	Beech S35	Fixed-wing, single engine	Chalk 2 INC Apple Valley, California	Standard	2016-05-05	Valid
N171H	Beech S35	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Iowa	Standard	2016-05-04	Valid
N2276C	Beech F33A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Leading Edge Consulting LLC Mitchell, South Dakota	Standard	2016-05-02	Valid
N9406S	Beech V35	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner South Carolina	Standard	2016-05-02	Valid
N158NC	Beech 58	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Ial CORP Lewes, Delaware	Standard	2016-04-28	Valid
N36673	Beech 58	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Gta Air INC Addison, Texas	Standard	2016-04-28	Valid
N2086L	Beech F33A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner California	Standard	2016-04-26	Valid
N210J	Cessna 210J	Fixed-wing, single engine	Rowdy Mcbride Hunting Services LLC Alpine, Texas	Standard	2016-04-22	Valid
N3042N	Beech F33A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Runway Aircraft LLC Sugar Land, Texas	Standard	2016-04-21	Valid
N3795Q	Beech 95-C55	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Green Aviation INC Manchester, Maine	Standard	2016-04-21	Valid
N38168	Beech A36	Fixed-wing, single engine	Jjj&S Aviation CORP Brooklyn, New York	Standard	2016-04-21	Valid
N4690C	Cessna A185F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Green Aviation INC Manchester, Maine	Standard	2016-04-21	Valid
N6749L	Beech A36	Fixed-wing, single engine	Gtf Aviation LLC Fryeburg, Maine	Standard	2016-04-21	Valid
N8245D	Beech F33A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Massachusetts	Standard	2016-04-20	Valid
N412JL	Beech 95-C55	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Individual owner Pennsylvania	Standard	2016-04-18	Valid
N87403	Cessna 310R	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Twin Oaks Aviation LLC Oshkosh, Wisconsin	Standard	2016-04-15	Valid
N8261M	Cessna T210K	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Arizona	Standard	2016-04-14	Valid
N123GB	Beech E-55	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Withheld at owner's request	Standard	2016-04-13	Valid
N480S	Aero Commander 200D	Fixed-wing, single engine	65 North INC Roswell, Georgia	Standard	2016-04-12	Valid
N727CB	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Dwr Aviation Enterprises LLC Vero Beach, Florida	Standard	2016-04-12	Valid
N185AF	Cessna A185F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Tanada Lake Lodge LLC Grand Junction, Colorado	Standard	2016-04-11	Valid
N407JC	Beech A36	Fixed-wing, single engine	Plane Partners LLC Newton, Massachusetts	Standard	2016-04-07	Valid
N66932	Beech A36	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2016-04-07	Valid
N1296F	Cessna A185F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Alaska	Standard	2016-04-06	Valid
N527TA	Beech 58	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Plane Leasing LLC Wilmington, Delaware	Standard	2016-04-05	Valid
N36BR	Beech A36	Fixed-wing, single engine	Withheld at owner's request	Standard	2016-03-30	Valid
N1831D	Beech A36	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Massachusetts	Standard	2016-03-28	Valid
N955CW	Cessna 310R	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Individual owner Florida	Standard	2016-03-24	Valid
N1071W	Beech A36	Fixed-wing, single engine	Pcs Air LLC Middletown, Pennsylvania	Standard	2016-03-22	Valid
N6864R	Cessna T210G	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner California	Standard	2016-03-19	Valid
N17833	Beech 58	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Individual owner Oregon	Standard	2016-03-18	Valid
N10UL	Beech S35	Fixed-wing, single engine	Surber Medical Enterprises LLC Waverly Hall, Georgia	Standard	2016-03-17	Valid
N2283L	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Arizona	Standard	2016-03-17	Valid
N5763J	Cessna 210K	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner California	Standard	2016-03-17	Valid
N8253R	Bellanca 17-30A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Kansas	Standard	2016-03-16	Valid
N8457N	Beech V35A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Sharon Enterprises LLC Peralta, New Mexico	Standard	2016-03-16	Valid
N909SD	Cessna 310E	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Acqua Aviation INC Wayzata, Minnesota	Standard	2016-03-15	Valid
N2084W	Beech V35	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Florida	Standard	2016-03-14	Valid
N221MR	Beech A36	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Wisconsin	Standard	2016-03-14	Valid
N35883	Cessna U206F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Sasquatch Alaska Adventure CO LLC Fritz Creek, Alaska	Standard	2016-03-14	Valid
N428KR	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Maryland	Standard	2016-03-14	Valid
N2583S	Cessna A185F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Alaska	Standard	2016-03-10	Valid
N35ES	Beech S35	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2016-03-10	Valid
N2846W	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Iowa	Standard	2016-03-09	Valid
N179TW	Bellanca 17-30A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Blue Sky Aviation Investments LLC Coconut Creek, Florida	Standard	2016-03-07	Valid
N36HL	Beech A36	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Texas	Standard	2016-03-07	Valid
N213E	Beech 95-C55	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Individual owner Michigan	Standard	2016-03-05	Valid
N9017Q	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2016-03-05	Valid
N2041Z	Beech E-55	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Blue Mesa LLC Bend, Oregon	Standard	2016-03-04	Valid
N8259E	Beech F33A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Atlanta Human Performance Center INC Mableton, Georgia	Standard	2016-03-02	Valid
N210BX	Cessna 210L	Fixed-wing, single engine	Nova Aircraft Holdings INC San Diego, California	Standard	2016-02-24	Valid
N2518T	Navion NAVION H	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Minnesota	Standard	2016-02-24	Valid
N185CM	Cessna A185E	Fixed-wing, single engine	Salter 11X LLC Duluth, Minnesota	Standard	2016-02-22	Valid
N2040Y	Beech V35B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Florida	Standard	2016-02-22	Valid
N8763Q	Cessna U206F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Artic Backcountry Flying Service LLC Kotzebue, Alaska	Standard	2016-02-22	Valid
N4621M	Beech 58	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Bassline Logistics LLC Watauga, Tennessee	Standard	2016-02-19	Valid
N732KL	Cessna 210L	Fixed-wing, single engine	Western Radio Services CO Prineville, Oregon	Standard	2016-02-19	Valid
N7363V	Bellanca 17-30	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Montana	Standard	2016-02-19	Valid
N427CA	Cessna 310R	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Chippewa Aerospace INC Gainesville, Florida	Standard	2016-02-09	Valid
N777RQ	Beech 58	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Co-owned owner Texas	Standard	2016-02-09	Valid
N185SS	Cessna A185F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Multiple	2016-02-05	Valid
N2783T	Cessna A185F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Cloud 9 Aviators LLC Anchorage, Alaska	Standard	2016-02-05	Valid
N4394W	Beech 58	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Individual owner Florida	Standard	2016-02-03	Valid
N310BV	Cessna 310R	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Exec Air INC of Naples Naples, Florida	Standard	2016-01-28	Valid
N185EA	Cessna A185F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Tennessee	Standard	2016-01-27	Valid
N6078S	Beech 58	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Whisero Aero INC Tullahoma, Tennessee	Standard	2016-01-27	Valid
N152K	Aero Commander 500-A	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Western Capital Partners LLC Wilmington, Delaware	Standard	2016-01-26	Valid
N7138Q	Cessna U206F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Arctic Aviation Leasing LLC Anchorage, Alaska	Standard	2016-01-25	Valid
N535WC	Cessna A185F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Metro West Ambulance Hillsboro, Oregon	Standard	2016-01-22	Valid
N6405X	Cessna U206G	Fixed-wing, single engine	Arctic Aviation Leasing LLC Anchorage, Alaska	Standard	2016-01-21	Valid
N7569N	Cessna U206G	Fixed-wing, single engine	Arctic Aviation Leasing LLC Anchorage, Alaska	Standard	2016-01-21	Valid
N185NV	Cessna 185E	Fixed-wing, single engine	Landing Gear Works LLC Renton, Washington	Standard	2016-01-20	Valid
N206DJ	Cessna 206	Fixed-wing, single engine	Alum I Tank INC Harvard, Illinois	Standard	2016-01-20	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