The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Engines · piston (reciprocating) · data as of October 9, 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
N4LY Commander Aircraft Co
114-B
Fixed-wing, single engine Scott D Bonk LLC
Fort Myers, Florida
Standard 2004-01-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N19HP Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine State of Ohio Dept of Public Safety
Columbus, Ohio
Standard 2003-12-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N753 Found Acft Canada Inc
FBA-2C1
Fixed-wing, single engine U S Department of the Interior
Boise, Idaho
Multiple 2003-12-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N47232 Piper
PA-32R-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2003-12-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N98WL Piper
PA-32R-301T
Fixed-wing, single engine N7876P LLC
Monument, Colorado
Standard 2003-12-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8348G Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Chelmsford Flyers LLC
Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Standard 2003-11-25 InvalidFAA registration status code W: Registration certificate deemed ineffective or invalid. All codes
N9503Y Cessna
182S
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2003-11-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N234AM Mondkar Avinash M
F 1 ROCKET
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Experimental 2003-11-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N89DT Piper
PA-32-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2003-11-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N321CU Stambaugh Scot D
F1
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Experimental 2003-11-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3569X Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2003-11-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N600BA Piper
PA-60-602P
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Jacks Express LLC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2003-11-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N276DC Crotts Leigh
F1
Fixed-wing, single engine Crotts Aircraft Service INC
Dodge City, Kansas
Experimental 2003-11-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N655PA Piper
PA-32-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2003-10-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N264NS Kelley Shawn J
EXPRESS SERIES 90
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Oregon
Experimental 2003-10-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N66GC Piper
AEROSTAR 601P
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Becker Air LLC
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Standard 2003-10-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4XN Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Virginia
Standard 2003-10-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3542B Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2003-10-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N182XS Cessna
182S
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2003-09-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N82131 Piper
PA-32-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
North Carolina
Standard 2003-09-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5254A Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine Buffy Aero LLC
Suwanee, Georgia
Standard 2003-09-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N458CD Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2003-08-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N93TB Socata
TB-20 TRINIDAD
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2003-08-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N30573 Socata
TB-20 TRINIDAD
Fixed-wing, single engine Dentdel INC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2003-08-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4358D Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Air Waves Saratoga LLC
Omaha, Nebraska
Standard 2003-08-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N146SW Piper
PA-32-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Fairway Systems LLC
New Port Richey, Florida
Standard 2003-07-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N42508 Maule
M-7-260C
Fixed-wing, single engine Sher Lease LLC
Pelican Rapids, Minnesota
Standard 2003-07-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N260SP Oliver Steven R
PITTS S-2S
Fixed-wing, single engine Pitts S2B LLC
Salinas, California
Experimental 2003-07-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N931SJ Cessna
182S
Fixed-wing, single engine Tss Flying Club INC
Bethesda, Maryland
Standard 2003-06-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2872D Piper
PA-32-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Louisiana
Standard 2003-06-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N720SP Estumkeda Ltd Dba Micco Acft
MAC-145A
Fixed-wing, single engine Flying L Aircraft INC
Fort Denaud, Florida
Experimental 2003-06-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3061W Piper
PA-32-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Ccn Air LLC
Bloomington, Indiana
Standard 2003-04-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N811AF Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine State of Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Standard 2003-04-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N101AF Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine State of Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Standard 2003-04-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N232AF Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine State of Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Standard 2003-04-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N241AF Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine State of Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Standard 2003-04-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N252AF Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine State of Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Standard 2003-04-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N261AF Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine State of Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Standard 2003-04-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N262AF Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine State of Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Standard 2003-04-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N281AF Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine State of Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Standard 2003-04-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N302AF Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine State of Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Standard 2003-04-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N382AF Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine State of Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Standard 2003-04-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N522AF Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine State of Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Standard 2003-04-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N812AF Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine State of Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Standard 2003-04-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5273K Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine Columbia Fire & Safety LLC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2003-04-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8144H Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Mfr Aviation INC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2003-03-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N120WE Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine Harbor Air INC
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Standard 2003-02-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N41DL Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine Ldair INC
Roanoke, Virginia
Standard 2003-02-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N38US Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine United States Aviation Underwriters INC
New York, New York
Standard 2003-02-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7271X Cessna
182S
Fixed-wing, single engine Aeolian LLC
Mcalester, Oklahoma
Standard 2003-02-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N585CA Commander Aircraft Co
114-B
Fixed-wing, single engine Thomas-Guy LTD
Newtown, Pennsylvania
Standard 2003-02-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N811GW Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine Great Western Aviation Leasing LLC
Ogden, Utah
Standard 2003-02-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2921N Piper
PA-32-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Zephyr Air CORP
Dellwood, Minnesota
Standard 2003-02-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2148N Piper
PA-32RT-300
Fixed-wing, single engine 2 Delta 5 LLC
Oakes, North Dakota
Standard 2003-02-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N719TB Socata
TB-20 TRINIDAD
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Nevada
Standard 2003-01-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N333JD Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Douglas Aero INC
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Standard 2003-01-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N12HP Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine State of Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Standard 2003-01-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N534SA Rockwell International
500-S
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Spur Aviation Services Lc
Twin Falls, Idaho
Standard 2003-01-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N31608 Piper
PA-32RT-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2002-12-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N113HP Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine State of Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Standard 2002-12-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N102LP Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine Washington State Patrol
Olympia, Washington
Standard 2002-12-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N698CA Commander Aircraft Co
114-B
Fixed-wing, single engine Commander 1 Flight Group LLC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2002-12-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6894G Piper
AEROSTAR 600
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Southwest Aviation
Marshall, Minnesota
Standard 2002-12-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N624LL Socata
TB-20 TRINIDAD
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Rhode Island
Standard 2002-11-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N363RJ Jordan Robert A
EXPRESS
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Experimental 2002-11-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N321LA Piper
PA-32RT-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Lowair LLC
Lake City, South Carolina
Standard 2002-11-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N916LT Maule
M-7-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Michigan
Standard 2002-10-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3521K Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine State of North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Standard 2002-10-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N227YZ Maule
M-7-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Turtle Partners II LLC
Providence, Rhode Island
Standard 2002-10-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N72667 Cessna
182S
Fixed-wing, single engine Rro Leasing LLC
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Standard 2002-10-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N26BM Cessna
182S
Fixed-wing, single engine
Standard 2002-07-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2161X Piper
PA-32-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Lake Riley Aviation INC
Excelsior, Minnesota
Standard 2002-07-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N767L Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine
Standard 2002-06-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2850Y Piper
PA-32-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Marjanro Aviation LLC
Marco Island, Florida
Standard 2002-06-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N101DR Piper
PA-32RT-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2002-06-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N242GT Socata
TB-20 TRINIDAD
Fixed-wing, single engine 25125 INC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2002-06-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N325SB Paul Timothy
SKYBOLT
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Experimental 2002-05-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N97JS Dehavilland
DHC-1B-2-S3
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
South Carolina
Experimental 2002-05-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N573TL Socata
TB-20 TRINIDAD
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oregon
Standard 2002-05-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N66BH Piper
PA-32-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Lj Air LLC
Ada, Michigan
Standard 2002-05-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N123AR Cessna
182S
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Puerto Rico
Standard 2002-05-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N165GT Socata
TB-20 TRINIDAD
Fixed-wing, single engine Mckeon Aviation Leasing-N165Gt LLC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2002-05-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N115CE Commander Aircraft Co
114-B
Fixed-wing, single engine Dentate Equipment Leasing LLC
Belmont, Massachusetts
Standard 2002-05-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N38674 Piper
PA-32R-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Tse Aircraft LLC
Jacksonville, Florida
Standard 2002-04-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N129SE Cessna
182S
Fixed-wing, single engine Barrington Air INC
Littleton, Colorado
Standard 2002-04-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N18HP Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine State of Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Standard 2002-04-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8CM Bellanca
17-31A
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2002-04-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N122KP Peterson Keith D
HARMON ROCKET
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Experimental 2002-04-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N712LD Piper
PA-32-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2002-04-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2244Z Piper
PA-32-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2002-03-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6HP Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine State of Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Standard 2002-02-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8550U Aerofab Inc
LAKE 250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Hampshire
Standard 2002-02-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3501R Cessna
206H
Fixed-wing, single engine Stanislaus County Sheriffs Department
Modesto, California
Standard 2002-01-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N43355 Piper
PA-32-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Calloway Enterprises LLC
Johnson City, Tennessee
Standard 2002-01-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9913X Reinhardt B/Reinhardt C
VELOCITY XLRG
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Tennessee
Experimental 2001-12-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N964LJ Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Air Mercury LLC
New Rochelle, New York
Standard 2001-12-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N79MP Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine Missouri State Highway Patrol
Jefferson City, Missouri
Standard 2001-12-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8193Z Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Ia Il Termite & Pest Control INC
Davenport, Iowa
Standard 2001-12-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5500Y Maule
M-7-260C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2001-12-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N571MC Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2001-12-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes

Source: FAA Civil Aviation Registry, Releasable Aircraft Database (the engine reference table and each aircraft's engine code), October 9, 2026. Horsepower and thrust are the FAA's figures for the series, not for a particular aircraft.