The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Engines · piston (reciprocating) · data as of October 8, 2026

Lycoming IO-540 series

4,218 aircraft on the U.S. register carry a Lycoming IO-540 series engine, rated at about 300 horsepower. The Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six, Lance and Saratoga is the model most often fitted with it (1,059 aircraft). The aircraft carrying it were built between 1965 and 2026.

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 Lycoming IO-540 series (2 codes). FAA spellings: IO-540 SER · IO 540 SER.

When the aircraft were built by decade

By decade built, as a table
aircraft
19402
195013
196096
1970797
1980579
1990748
20001,339
201078
202056

What the FAA has certified, ordered and been told about the Lycoming IO-540 series the component layer

The design is held under 1 type certificate (1E4, held by Lycoming Engines). The FAA has issued 49 airworthiness directives (orders that owners must comply with) that name this engine series. Operators and repair shops have filed 316 failure reports with the FAA since 1995, 17 of them in the last ten years.

FAA orders 49 airworthiness directives · newest first

2026-09-142026-17-10 · Reciprocating Engine Cylinder Section · engine
2026-04-082026-04-11 · Engine (Reciprocating) · engine
2024-12-052024-21-02 · Engine (Reciprocating) · engine
2022-08-152022-16-03 · Engine (RECIPROCATING) · engine
2017-08-152017-16-11 · Reciprocating Engine Power Section · engine
2015-11-032015-19-07 · Fuel injector fuel lines · engine

All orders naming the Lycoming IO-540 series

Failure reports 316 since · what operators and shops told the FAA

012253850950005101523226
Failure reports by year, as a table
reports
953
963
973
984
994
0011
0137
0215
0337
0434
0550
0630
0719
0812
093
1012
112
127
135
146
152
171
194
202
222
231
245
262

Parts most often reported as the reports name them

Magneto19Cylinder10Bearing8Gasket8Bolt7Boot7Actuator6Line6Pump6Baffle5
Parts most reported, as a table
reports
Magneto19
Cylinder10
Bearing8
Gasket8
Bolt7
Boot7
Actuator6
Line6
Pump6
Baffle5

Latest reports

2026-05-09Thrust Button: faulted
2026-01-29Magneto: failed
2024-08-07Magneto: failed
2024-08-06Magneto: failed
2024-03-14Magneto: failed

Certificates and bulletins

1E4Type certificate held by Lycoming Engines · 81 models listed · revised February 28, 2018

Safety bulletins 14 · advice, not orders

2019-05-02NE-19-08 · Reciprocating Engine Cylinder Section - Lycoming Engines Parallel Valve Cylinders
2016-05-13NE-08-32R1 · Propeller Governor Idler Gear Shaft Set Screw
2014-03-24NE-14-13 · Reciprocating Engine - Cylinder Mounting Studs
2012-11-21NE-13-06 · Pushrod Shroud Spring Retainers, Engine Components Part No. AEL14995, for Lycoming Engines 320,...
2011-03-31NE-08-26R3 · Magneto/Distributor

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
Where they are
Biggest operators
Airworthiness

The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/engine/lycoming-io-540-series.json.

Aircraft newest certificates first · 4,218

Tail no.Maker and modelGroupOwner and baseCertificateRegisteredStatus
N540JF Fife Joseph H
GLASAIR III
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Experimental 2021-10-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N873MB Cessna
182S
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2021-10-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N720RK Cessna
182S
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2021-10-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2928A Piper
PA-32-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Vista Aircraft Lc
Papillion, Nebraska
Standard 2021-10-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N417DD Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine Sc Flyers INC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2021-09-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N114SR Rockwell International
114
Fixed-wing, single engine Skymaster Stc LLC
Mena, Arkansas
Standard 2021-09-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1887S Socata
TB-20 TRINIDAD
Fixed-wing, single engine Cavort LLC
New York City, New York
Standard 2021-09-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N65328 Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine Lingyun LLC
Winter Garden, Florida
Standard 2021-09-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N712TM Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Hudson Valley Helicopter Flight Services LLC
Salt Point, New York
Standard 2021-09-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7276H Cessna
182S
Fixed-wing, single engine Flying Schnauzer LLC
Vestavia, Alabama
Standard 2021-09-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N60728 Piper
AEROSTAR 601P
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Valiair Limited Company Trustee
Casper, Wyoming
Standard 2021-09-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4125D Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Srq Framing LLC
Sarasota, Florida
Standard 2021-09-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N114DW Rockwell International
114
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2021-09-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3575K Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine N83993 LLC
Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Standard 2021-09-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N235X Maule
MX-7-235
Fixed-wing, single engine All Crop 2 INC
Cornelius, Oregon
Standard 2021-09-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N518CR Cessna
182S
Fixed-wing, single engine M & A Aircraft LLC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2021-09-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N992TC Robinson Helicopter
R44 II
Helicopter Sierra Heli Partners LLC
Reno, Nevada
Standard 2021-09-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N179MA Lanshe Aerospace Llc
MAC-145B
Fixed-wing, single engine Air-Knechtions LLC
Batavia, Illinois
Standard 2021-09-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N47ME Piper
AEROSTAR 600
Fixed-wing, multi-engine N47Me LLC
Tampa, Florida
Standard 2021-09-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N358BT Piper
PA-32-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2021-09-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N358Q Shannon Oquinn
RV-10
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
South Carolina
Experimental 2021-09-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5182R Cessna
182S
Fixed-wing, single engine Half Wagon Innovations LLC
Cresson, Texas
Standard 2021-09-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N78LS Piper
AEROSTAR 600
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Nor-Cal Air LLC
Kalispell, Montana
Standard 2021-09-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2366N Cessna
182S
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2021-09-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N743RH Robinson Helicopter
R44 II
Helicopter United Helicopter Leasing LLC
Honolulu, Hawaii
Standard 2021-09-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N517H James A Hart
RV-10
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Experimental 2021-09-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N203LE Robinson Helicopter
R44 II
Helicopter Leading Edge Flight Academy LLC
Bend, Oregon
Standard 2021-09-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N807LE Robinson Helicopter
R44 II
Helicopter Leading Edge Flight Academy LLC
Bend, Oregon
Standard 2021-09-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N111CK Piper
AEROSTAR 602P
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
New Mexico
Standard 2021-09-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N114BM Rockwell International
114
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2021-09-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N440BA Piper
PA-60-602P
Fixed-wing, multi-engine No More Jump Seats LLC
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Standard 2021-09-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9681F Cessna
182S
Fixed-wing, single engine Splashdown Aviation LLC
Dunedin, Florida
Standard 2021-09-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N442JE Robinson Helicopter
R44 II
Helicopter Concho Aviation LLC
Sterling City, Texas
Multiple 2021-08-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4028W Piper
PA-32-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Cmor Properties LLC
Saint Augustine, Florida
Standard 2021-08-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N990TR Jesse Ethan Stockwell
RV-10
Fixed-wing, single engine Invictus Aircraft LLC
Chandler, Arizona
Experimental 2021-08-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N271MD Piper
PA-32-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Mississippi
Standard 2021-08-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N528KC Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2021-08-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N359CH Piper
PA-32RT-300
Fixed-wing, single engine N2092R LLC
Irvington, Virginia
Standard 2021-08-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N114PW Commander Aircraft Co
114-B
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2021-08-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N229CH Robinson Helicopter
R44 II
Helicopter Pollux Aviation LTD
Wasilla, Alaska
Standard 2021-08-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N260FH Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Florida Flyers
Jacksonville, Florida
Standard 2021-08-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N38911 Piper
PA-32R-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Sams Aviation LLC
Decatur, Illinois
Standard 2021-08-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N78PL Piper
PA-32RT-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2021-08-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5909N Rockwell International
114A
Fixed-wing, single engine N5909 LLC
Hypoluxo, Florida
Standard 2021-08-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N700BV Smith
AEROSTAR 601P
Fixed-wing, multi-engine N700Bv LLC
Zeeland, Michigan
Standard 2021-08-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N742RH Robinson Helicopter
R44 II
Helicopter United Helicopter Leasing LLC
Honolulu, Hawaii
Standard 2021-08-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6670Y Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Florida
Restricted 2021-08-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N711RP Socata
TB-20 TRINIDAD
Fixed-wing, single engine Jwp Flying Services LLC
Chatfield, Minnesota
Standard 2021-08-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N162CS Cessna
182S
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2021-08-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6262B Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Drj Plane LLC
Hastings, Nebraska
Standard 2021-08-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N136CP Maule
MT-7-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Maule Flight INC
Moultrie, Georgia
Standard 2021-08-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8159A Piper
PA-32-301
Fixed-wing, single engine N8159A LLC
Jupiter, Florida
Standard 2021-08-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9768C Piper
PA-32-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Utah
Standard 2021-08-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2040H Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine ABC Plane LLC
Freeport, Texas
Standard 2021-08-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N291GT Socata
TB21
Fixed-wing, single engine Nattjat Aviation LLC
El Dorado Hills, California
Standard 2021-08-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N75HR Mackessy John P
HARMON ROCKET II
Fixed-wing, single engine Mountain Flyer Aircraft LLC
Kalispell, Montana
Experimental 2021-08-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N416LD Robinson Helicopter
R44 II
Helicopter Lake Cumberland Helicopter Tours LLC
Monticello, Kentucky
Standard 2021-07-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N732BJ Robinson Helicopter
R44 II
Helicopter Sendero Helicopters LLC
Bandera, Texas
Standard 2021-07-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N311DK Wright T/Bergin S
VELCTY 173/RG-XL EL
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Florida
Experimental 2021-07-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N93MV Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Well Bilt Industries USA LLC
Ocala, Florida
Standard 2021-07-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N356GT Socata
TB-20 TRINIDAD
Fixed-wing, single engine Padre Bendice Este Vuelo LLC
Groveton, Texas
Standard 2021-07-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N580CC Cessna
182S
Fixed-wing, single engine Texas CO Title INC
Big Spring, Texas
Standard 2021-07-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N388DW Robinson Helicopter
R44 II
Helicopter Dunlap Farms Equipment LLC
Williams, California
Standard 2021-07-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N333BF Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
North Carolina
Standard 2021-07-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N99450 Walling
STARDUSTER TOO
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Experimental 2021-07-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N79RG Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Jersey
Standard 2021-07-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N23AS Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
South Carolina
Standard 2021-07-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N31933 Piper
PA-32RT-300
Fixed-wing, single engine G & C Flying INC
Litchfield, Illinois
Standard 2021-07-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N715DF Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine Aerospace Trust Management LLC Trustee
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2021-07-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N42987 Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Gman Air LLC
Clayton, Missouri
Standard 2021-07-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N12XG Rockwell International
114
Fixed-wing, single engine Commander Aviation LLC
Williamsburg, Virginia
Standard 2021-07-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N771BD Mcginity Ed
HARMON ROCKETT
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Idaho
Experimental 2021-07-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2927C Piper
PA-32-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2021-07-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737RD Alpha Aviation Inc
HARMON ROCKET
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Idaho
Experimental 2021-06-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N33WJ Piper
PA-32R-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Kite Air LLC
Staten Island, New York
Standard 2021-06-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4139R Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Pilot Mountain Aviation LLC
Pilot Mountain, North Carolina
Standard 2021-06-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2857M Piper
PA-32-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Coastal Air Services LLC
Hampton, South Carolina
Standard 2021-06-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N30074 Piper
PA-32RT-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Alabama
Standard 2021-06-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N99DZ Maule
MT-7-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Indiana
Standard 2021-06-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N393DM Robinson Helicopter
R44 II
Helicopter Alba Leasing Services LLC
Scottsdale, Arizona
Standard 2021-06-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N71MS Maule
M-6-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Taf Aerial Services LLC
Beeville, Texas
Standard 2021-06-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N77DR Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Geodetic Associates International LLC
Pittstown, New Jersey
Standard 2021-06-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9308P Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Executive Enterprise Solutions LLC
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Standard 2021-06-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N957PD Aviat Aircraft Inc
S-2C
Fixed-wing, single engine Everything Pitts LLC
Queen Creek, Arizona
Standard 2021-06-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N85RJ Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Technical Education Services INC
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Standard 2021-06-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N88GT Socata
TB-20 TRINIDAD
Fixed-wing, single engine 9Q Partners LLC
West Caldwell, New Jersey
Standard 2021-06-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N540BJ Janzen James
HARMON ROCKET II
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Experimental 2021-06-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N22HC Colfer Harry F
GLASAIR III
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Experimental 2021-06-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N32WF Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine N32Wf LLC
Muscatine, Iowa
Standard 2021-06-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N767TC Wingtip To Wingtip
PANZEL S-330
Fixed-wing, single engine Tc Aviation LTD
Fairbanks, Alaska
Experimental 2021-06-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N317RV Sky Blue Flyers Llc
RV-10
Fixed-wing, single engine Sky Blue Flyers LLC
New Holland, Pennsylvania
Experimental 2021-06-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N918L Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Powers Aircraft Sales and Leasing INC
Longwood, Florida
Standard 2021-06-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N98WH Cessna
182S
Fixed-wing, single engine N94Ee LLC
West Palm Beach, Florida
Standard 2021-06-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N139RA Cessna
182S
Fixed-wing, single engine Beach Cruisers LLC
Ormond Beach, Florida
Standard 2021-06-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N242EX Piper
PA-32-300
Fixed-wing, single engine 242Ex LLC
West Palm Beach, Florida
Standard 2021-05-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8MN Cessna
T210L
Fixed-wing, single engine Nichols Farms
Seminole, Texas
Standard 2021-05-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N27LT Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2021-05-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2562M Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Pacific Fleet Aviation LLC
Rochester, New York
Standard 2021-05-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N827EC Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Pacific Fleet Aviation LLC
Rochester, New York
Standard 2021-05-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4138Q Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2021-05-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
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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.