Engines · piston (reciprocating) · data as of October 7, 2026

Lycoming O-320 series

27,315 aircraft on the U.S. register carry a Lycoming O-320 series engine, rated at about 180 horsepower. The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is the model most often fitted with it (9,462 aircraft). The aircraft carrying it were built between 1949 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 O-320 series (2 codes). FAA spellings: 0-320 SERIES · O-320 SERIES.

Fitted to model families

Cessna 172 Skyhawk9,462Piper PA-28 Cherokee, Warrior, Archer and Arrow6,844Piper PA-18 Super Cub2,393Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer and Colt1,660Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5 Traveler, Cheetah and Tiger566Bellanca 7 Citabria563Cessna 177 Cardinal398Piper PA-23 Apache and Aztec347Robinson R22276Champion 7 Citabria and Champ266American Champion Aircraft 7 Citabria and Champ249Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser149

Cessna 172 Skyhawk · Piper PA-28 Cherokee, Warrior, Archer and Arrow · Piper PA-18 Super Cub · Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer and Colt · Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5 Traveler, Cheetah and Tiger · Bellanca 7 Citabria · Cessna 177 Cardinal · Piper PA-23 Apache and Aztec · Robinson R22 · Champion 7 Citabria and Champ

Where they are owner's state

Texas2,350California2,123Florida2,076Alaska1,796Washington1,004Ohio731Georgia718Minnesota686North Carolina674Arizona659

Kind of aircraft

Piston singles26,597 (97%)Piston twins414 (2%)Helicopters303 (1%)Gliders1 (0.0%)

When the aircraft were built by decade

What the FAA has certified, ordered and been told about the Lycoming O-320 series the component layer

The design is held under 1 type certificate (E-274, held by Lycoming Engines). The FAA has issued 29 airworthiness directives (orders that owners must comply with) that name this engine series. Operators and repair shops have filed 349 failure reports with the FAA since 1995, 19 of them in the last ten years.

FAA orders 29 airworthiness directives · newest first

2026-04-082026-04-11 · Engine (Reciprocating) · engine

2024-12-052024-21-02 · Engine (Reciprocating) · engine

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

2012-03-272012-03-07 · Carburetor · engine

2008-10-202008-19-05 · Parallel Valve'' reciprocating engines · engine

2006-01-312005-26-10 · ECi cylinder assemblies. · engine

All orders naming the Lycoming O-320 series

Failure reports 349 since · what operators and shops told the FAA

Parts most often reported as the reports name them

Spar18Tube17Cylinder15Bulkhead9Alternator8Control Cable8Bolt7Carburetor7Fitting6Float6

Latest reports

2026-09-03Gascolator: dirty

2026-05-19Impulse Coupling: unserviceable

2026-03-10Cylinder Head: cracked

2026-03-05Cylinder: cracked

2025-11-24Cylinder: cracked

Certificates and bulletins

E-274Type certificate held by Lycoming Engines · 60 models listed · revised April 30, 2013

Safety bulletins 17 · advice, not orders

2022-09-26NE-06-31R6 · Engine Lubricating Oils

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,...

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

Cessna 172 Skyhawk 9,462 with this engine series
Piper PA-28 Cherokee, Warrior, Archer and Arrow 6,844 with this engine series
Piper PA-18 Super Cub 2,393 with this engine series
Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer and Colt 1,660 with this engine series
Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5 Traveler, Cheetah and Tiger 566 with this engine series
Bellanca 7 Citabria 563 with this engine series
Cessna 177 Cardinal 398 with this engine series
Piper PA-23 Apache and Aztec 347 with this engine series

Where they are

Texas 2,350 of these aircraft
California 2,123 of these aircraft
Florida 2,076 of these aircraft
Alaska 1,796 of these aircraft
Washington 1,004 of these aircraft

Biggest operators

Wings Over Texas Holdings LLC 107 of these aircraft
American Patrols INC 61 of these aircraft
Paris Air INC 33 of these aircraft
Civil Air Patrol INC 33 of these aircraft
International Air Services INC Trustee 30 of these aircraft

Airworthiness

FAA orders naming the Lycoming O-320 series 29 airworthiness directives
Failure reports on the Lycoming O-320 series 349 reports since 1995

Analytics

These connections as data: /graph/engine/lycoming-o-320-series.json · about the eFlight graph.

Aircraft newest certificates first · 27,315

Tail no.	Maker and model	Group	Owner and base	Certificate	Registered	Status
N7891G	Cessna 172L	Fixed-wing, single engine	Sam Aviation LLC Long Beach, California	Standard	2026-02-17	Valid
N80903	Globe GC-1B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Southern Aircraft Consultancy INC Trustee Casper, Wyoming	Standard	2026-02-17	Valid
N9172Y	Piper PA-28-161	Fixed-wing, single engine	Mohammadreza Sabzi Los Angeles, California	Standard	2026-02-17	Valid
N13400	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Opolka John G Midlothian, Texas	Standard	2026-02-16	Valid
N343RS	Champion 7GCAA	Fixed-wing, single engine	Champ Aviation LLC Lake Saint Louis, Missouri	Standard	2026-02-16	Valid
N4226T	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Florida	Standard	2026-02-16	Valid
N5526M	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Ez Breezy Fc LLC San Diego, California	Standard	2026-02-16	Valid
N738JU	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Llano Masonry LLC Lubbock, Texas	Standard	2026-02-16	Valid
N739LM	Davis Lawrence L RV-6	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Oregon	Experimental	2026-02-16	Valid
N7683F	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner North Carolina	Standard	2026-02-16	Valid
N76PQ	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Montana	Standard	2026-02-16	Valid
N8478R	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Tennessee	Standard	2026-02-16	Valid
N8755V	Bellanca 7GCBC	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Alaska	Standard	2026-02-16	Valid
N12707	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Arctic Flying Club INC Fairbanks, Alaska	Standard	2026-02-15	Valid
N13680	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Massachusetts	Standard	2026-02-15	Valid
N4301R	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Montana	Standard	2026-02-15	Valid
N75TJ	Singer Thomas G RV-6	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner California	Experimental	2026-02-15	Valid
N7625F	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner California	Standard	2026-02-15	Valid
N80495	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Space Coast Aero LLC Melbourne, Florida	Multiple	2026-02-15	Valid
N6967W	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Washington	Standard	2026-02-14	Valid
N737CN	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Southern Aircraft Consultancy INC Trustee Casper, Wyoming	Standard	2026-02-14	Valid
N737ZE	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Southern Aircraft Consultancy INC Trustee Casper, Wyoming	Standard	2026-02-14	Valid
N8402L	Cessna 172I	Fixed-wing, single engine	Van Bortel INC Victor, New York	Standard	2026-02-14	Valid
N1023N	Piper PA-18A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Southern Aircraft Consultancy INC Trustee Casper, Wyoming	Standard	2026-02-13	Valid
N4530T	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Ohio	Standard	2026-02-13	Valid
N55349	Cessna 172P	Fixed-wing, single engine	Mob Aviation LLC Auburndale, Florida	Standard	2026-02-13	Valid
N6060W	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner New York	Standard	2026-02-13	Valid
N7326E	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Mountain South Aviation LLC Telford, Tennessee	Standard	2026-02-13	Valid
N9757U	Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Tennessee	Standard	2026-02-13	Valid
N13684	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Ohio	Standard	2026-02-12	Valid
N1478X	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Mello Edward R JR Land O Lakes, Florida	Standard	2026-02-12	Valid
N26691	Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Arizona	Standard	2026-02-12	Valid
N35319	Piper PA-28-161	Fixed-wing, single engine	Yoder Electric INC Monticello, Georgia	Standard	2026-02-12	Valid
N4153H	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Bachman Aviation LLC Independence, Iowa	Standard	2026-02-12	Valid
N4159D	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Bachman Aviation LLC Independence, Iowa	Standard	2026-02-12	Valid
N7827C	Cross A C GLASTAR 1	Fixed-wing, single engine	Kestrel Aviation LLC Reno, Nevada	Experimental	2026-02-12	Valid
N99589	Cessna 172P	Fixed-wing, single engine	Kingsky Flight Academy LLC Lakeland, Florida	Standard	2026-02-12	Valid
N138FR	Cessna 172P	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Michigan	Standard	2026-02-11	Valid
N3836K	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Valarchi Air Aviation LLC Lewes, Delaware	Standard	2026-02-11	Valid
N55920	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2026-02-11	Valid
N848GF	Miller Joseph E SAFARI	Rotorcraft	Individual owner North Dakota	Experimental	2026-02-11	Valid
N2086P	Piper PA-23-150	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Southern Aircraft Consultancy INC Trustee Casper, Wyoming	Standard	2026-02-10	Valid
N5898W	Piper PA-28-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Arizona	Standard	2026-02-10	Valid
N12884	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Withheld at owner's request	Standard	2026-02-09	Valid
N4849D	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	N4849D LLC North Logan, Utah	Standard	2026-02-09	Valid
N8551V	Bellanca 7GCBC	Fixed-wing, single engine	Tall Timber Flying Service LLC Kalispell, Montana	Standard	2026-02-09	Valid
N1961W	Beech B19	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Oklahoma	Standard	2026-02-08	Valid
N262EE	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Horizon Flights CORP Henderson, Nevada	Standard	2026-02-07	Valid
N3710K	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Black Dragon87 LLC Milford, Connecticut	Standard	2026-02-07	Valid
N3944Q	Cessna 172L	Fixed-wing, single engine	Feauto Aviation INC Saint Cloud, Florida	Standard	2026-02-07	Valid
N4830A	Piper PA-22-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2026-02-07	Valid
N50MD	Engel Maynard/Douglas ACRO SPORT II	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Virginia	Experimental	2026-02-07	Valid
N6857W	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	N6857W INC Palos Heights, Illinois	Standard	2026-02-07	Valid
N75876	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner California	Standard	2026-02-07	Valid
N15034	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Pathfinder Aviation Services LLC St Johns, Florida	Standard	2026-02-06	Valid
N172GK	Cessna 172P	Fixed-wing, single engine	Southern Aircraft Consultancy INC Trustee Casper, Wyoming	Standard	2026-02-06	Valid
N29263	Piper PA-28-161	Fixed-wing, single engine	Aviation Career Enrichment INC Atlanta, Georgia	Standard	2026-02-06	Valid
N20272	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	First Class Flying Club LLC Centennial, Colorado	Standard	2026-02-05	Valid
N224BB	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2026-02-05	Valid
N380MF	Omf OMF-100-160	Fixed-wing, single engine	Withheld at owner's request	Standard	2026-02-05	Valid
N4154J	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner New York	Standard	2026-02-05	Valid
N53RV	Blanding Richard Douglas RV-6	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Georgia	Experimental	2026-02-05	Valid
N95473	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Nebraska	Standard	2026-02-05	Valid
N734WB	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Wedoaero LLC Vale, North Carolina	Standard	2026-02-04	Valid
N739SW	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Sanford Aircraft LLC Winter Springs, Florida	Standard	2026-02-04	Valid
N44805	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner California	Standard	2026-02-03	Valid
N53SJ	Piper PA-18-135	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Minnesota	Restricted	2026-02-03	Valid
N140WT	Cessna 172P	Fixed-wing, single engine	Fly Whiskey Tango LLC Scottsdale, Arizona	Standard	2026-02-02	Valid
N43224	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Piper Aviation LLC Tierra Verde, Florida	Standard	2026-02-02	Valid
N4819G	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Veer Aviation Tx LLC Houston, Texas	Standard	2026-02-02	Valid
N9018D	Dickinson Charles C VANS RV6A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Maryland	Experimental	2026-02-02	Valid
N91JF	Summers Donald C VANS ACFT RV4	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Experimental	2026-02-02	Valid
N4157R	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Mckenna Brothers Aircraft LLC Anchorage, Alaska	Standard	2026-01-31	Valid
N41558	Piper PA-28-151	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Iowa	Standard	2026-01-30	Valid
N713CG	Piper Aircraft Corp PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Alaska	Standard	2026-01-30	Valid
N347GD	Dunfee Gary W RV6-A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Oregon	Experimental	2026-01-29	Valid
N8252Z	Piper PA-28-161	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Georgia	Standard	2026-01-29	Valid
N24WF	Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Kentucky	Standard	2026-01-28	Valid
N3665P	Piper PA-18A 150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Arizona	Restricted	2026-01-28	Valid
N8018N	Piper PA-28-161	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Florida	Standard	2026-01-28	Valid
N8835D	Piper PA-22-160	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Michigan	Standard	2026-01-28	Valid
N1579J	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Utah	Standard	2026-01-27	Valid
N26725	Gulfstream American Corp AA-5A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Withheld at owner's request	Standard	2026-01-27	Valid
N43648	Piper PA-28-151	Fixed-wing, single engine	Bels Holdings LLC Albert Lea, Minnesota	Standard	2026-01-27	Valid
N6646W	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Missouri	Standard	2026-01-27	Valid
N70323	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Sky Equity LLC Woodbury, Minnesota	Standard	2026-01-27	Valid
N88130	Bellanca 7GCBC	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2026-01-27	Valid
N123SA	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Southern Aircraft Consultancy INC Trustee Casper, Wyoming	Standard	2026-01-26	Valid
N1323	Marsh Myron RV-4	Fixed-wing, single engine	High Performance Aviation LLC Davidson, North Carolina	Experimental	2026-01-26	Valid
N19936	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Washington	Standard	2026-01-26	Valid
N3456P	Piper PA-23-160	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Bels Holdings LLC Albert Lea, Minnesota	Standard	2026-01-26	Valid
N525FL	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Wisconsin	Standard	2026-01-26	Valid
N6924W	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Alpha 3 LLC Troy, Kansas	Standard	2026-01-26	Valid
N5757W	Piper PA-28-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	N63E LLC Fallon, Nevada	Standard	2026-01-25	Valid
N437DC	Cahoon David W RV-4	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner California	Experimental	2026-01-24	Valid
N3769X	Aero Commander 100	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Washington	Standard	2026-01-23	Valid
N585T	Piper PA-28-151	Fixed-wing, single engine	Lbl Flyers LLC Depoe Bay, Oregon	Standard	2026-01-23	Valid
N79102	Cessna 172K	Fixed-wing, single engine	Van Wert County Regional Airport Aurthoirty Van Wert, Ohio	Standard	2026-01-23	Valid
N2777T	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Aviator Air Flight School LLC Houston, Texas	Standard	2026-01-22	Valid
N36056	Piper PA-28-161	Fixed-wing, single engine	Cleared Aviation LLC Novato, California	Standard	2026-01-22	Valid

Source: FAA Civil Aviation Registry, Releasable Aircraft Database (the engine reference table and each aircraft's engine code), October 7, 2026. Horsepower and thrust are the FAA's figures for the series, not for a particular aircraft.