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
N388PG	Cessna 172L	Fixed-wing, single engine	Aviator Air Flight School LLC Houston, Texas	Standard	2026-01-22	Valid
N4877D	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Aviator Air Flight School LLC Houston, Texas	Standard	2026-01-22	Valid
N66AA	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Lift Aviation LLC Kingston, Massachusetts	Standard	2026-01-22	Valid
N733DR	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Marc Aircraft Holding LLC Soldotna, Alaska	Standard	2026-01-22	Valid
N733WU	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Aviator Air Flight School LLC Houston, Texas	Standard	2026-01-22	Valid
N80EZ	Frazier Bennie W LONG-EZE	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Pennsylvania	Experimental	2026-01-22	Valid
N150CW	Piper PA-18A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Wyoming	Standard	2026-01-21	Valid
N5576U	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Ohio	Standard	2026-01-21	Valid
N417GG	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Pro Water Solutions LLC Henderson, Texas	Standard	2026-01-19	Valid
N64PP	Mountjoy-Barto Partnership RV-6A	Fixed-wing, single engine	G3Aero LLC Chesapeake, Virginia	Experimental	2026-01-19	Valid
N9788W	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Arizona	Standard	2026-01-19	Valid
N513MS	Piper PA-28-161	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner California	Standard	2026-01-18	Valid
N1937W	Beech B19	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Connecticut	Standard	2026-01-17	Valid
N6974H	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Watsonair LLC Carlsbad, California	Standard	2026-01-17	Valid
N9643H	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Mor Aviation N9643H LLC Gaithersburg, Maryland	Standard	2026-01-17	Valid
N18390	Baker Eugene L RV6-A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Precision Design INC Wilmington, Delaware	Experimental	2026-01-16	Valid
N28842	Piper PA-28-161	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner North Carolina	Standard	2026-01-16	Valid
N3975Q	Cessna 172L	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Kansas	Standard	2026-01-16	Valid
N8134D	Piper PA-22-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Alaska	Standard	2026-01-16	Valid
N194AK	Ostendorf Robert L RV-9A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Withheld at owner's request	Experimental	2026-01-15	Valid
N22760	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum Detroit, Michigan	Standard	2026-01-15	Valid
N111ML	Loyd SPEZIO SPORT TUHOLER	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner New Jersey	Experimental	2026-01-14	Valid
N13731	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Alabama	Standard	2026-01-14	Valid
N15927	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	4Dw Interests LLC Longview, Texas	Standard	2026-01-14	Valid
N214A	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Pikago LLC Moreno Valley, California	Standard	2026-01-14	Valid
N4393Q	Cessna 172L	Fixed-wing, single engine	Jkj Aviation LLC Wilmington, North Carolina	Standard	2026-01-14	Valid
N79578	Cessna 172K	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner New York	Standard	2026-01-14	Valid
N8057N	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner New Jersey	Standard	2026-01-14	Valid
N9729U	Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Tennessee	Standard	2026-01-14	Valid
N17PB	Pitts Special BMP	Fixed-wing, single engine	Port Townsend Aero Museum Port Townsend, Washington	Experimental	2026-01-13	Valid
N216CM	Avions Pierre Robin PIERRE ROBIN R2160	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2026-01-13	Valid
N243W	Cessna 172L	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2026-01-13	Valid
N3627E	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Jmch Flight LLC Henderson, Nevada	Standard	2026-01-13	Valid
N5163D	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Kentucky	Standard	2026-01-13	Valid
N6782W	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Aerial Horizons LLC Highland Village, Texas	Standard	2026-01-13	Valid
N15605	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Washington	Standard	2026-01-12	Valid
N3955Z	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Alaska	Multiple	2026-01-12	Valid
N557DJ	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Mclain Aviation LLC Lyons, Georgia	Standard	2026-01-12	Valid
N654FL	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Roca Roja y Caballo Gris de Idaho LLC Meridian, Idaho	Standard	2026-01-12	Valid
N6991H	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Rhinelander Flying Service INC Palmetto, Florida	Standard	2026-01-12	Valid
N7017R	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Rd Aire LLC Opelika, Alabama	Standard	2026-01-12	Valid
N747NW	Willcutts William D VANS RV-4	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Colorado	Experimental	2026-01-12	Valid
N7598G	Cessna 172L	Fixed-wing, single engine	Gbc Leasing LLC Gun Barrel City, Texas	Standard	2026-01-12	Valid
N199SB	Gross Stephen M RV-6A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Withheld at owner's request	Experimental	2026-01-11	Valid
N2002V	Taylorcraft Aviation Corp F19	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Alaska	Standard	2026-01-10	Valid
N9404K	Piper PA-28-151	Fixed-wing, single engine	Jmy Aviation LLC Merritt Island, Florida	Standard	2026-01-10	Valid
N323JM	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Missouri	Standard	2026-01-09	Valid
N57522	Bellanca 7GCBC	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Alaska	Standard	2026-01-09	Valid
N7540F	Champion 7GCBC	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Alaska	Standard	2026-01-09	Valid
N8994R	Champion 7GCB	Fixed-wing, single engine	T & H Aviation LLC Rector, Arkansas	Standard	2026-01-09	Valid
N93UG	Piper PA-23	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Bellas Business LLC Kalispell, Montana	Standard	2026-01-09	Valid
N941BJ	Concannon Bernard MURPHY REBEL	Fixed-wing, single engine	Valiair Limited CO Trustee Casper, Wyoming	Experimental	2026-01-09	Valid
N10RK	Piper PA-23-150	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2026-01-08	Valid
N172V	Cessna 172P	Fixed-wing, single engine	Bonneville Aviation Holdings LLC Kalispell, Montana	Standard	2026-01-08	Valid
N2249E	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Georgia	Standard	2026-01-08	Valid
N3374T	Cessna 177	Fixed-wing, single engine	Lazy Eight LLC Kalispell, Montana	Standard	2026-01-08	Valid
N3600Z	Piper PA-22-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Kansas	Standard	2026-01-08	Valid
N3936P	Piper PA-22-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Washington	Standard	2026-01-08	Valid
N4267Q	Cessna 172L	Fixed-wing, single engine	Dhf LLC Valentine, Nebraska	Standard	2026-01-08	Valid
N61703	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Nevada	Standard	2026-01-08	Valid
N734JK	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Kingsky Flight Academy LLC Lakeland, Florida	Standard	2026-01-08	Valid
N739PG	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Jprg Aviation INC Orlando, Florida	Standard	2026-01-08	Valid
N7578F	Champion 7GCBC	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Alaska	Standard	2026-01-08	Valid
N7620G	Cessna 172L	Fixed-wing, single engine	Dc Aero LLC Ramona, California	Standard	2026-01-08	Valid
N7811D	Piper PA-22-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner South Carolina	Standard	2026-01-08	Valid
N1320A	Piper PA-18	Fixed-wing, single engine	Terra Firma Aviation LLC Bowman, California	Restricted	2026-01-07	Valid
N20072	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Ace Aviation 20072 LLC Pembroke Pines, Florida	Standard	2026-01-07	Valid
N32436	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Arkansas	Standard	2026-01-07	Valid
N32690	Piper PA-28-151	Fixed-wing, single engine	Integrity Aviation LLC Coatesville, Indiana	Standard	2026-01-07	Valid
N4209Z	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	By Sky Or By Sea LLC Kalispell, Montana	Standard	2026-01-07	Valid
N4497A	Piper PA-18A 150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Alaska	Standard	2026-01-07	Valid
N4565R	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner North Carolina	Standard	2026-01-07	Valid
N51840	Cessna 172P	Fixed-wing, single engine	Sky Bubble LLC Santa Ana, California	Standard	2026-01-07	Valid
N64045	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner California	Standard	2026-01-07	Valid
N64524	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Ace Aviation 64524 LLC Pembroke Pines, Florida	Standard	2026-01-07	Valid
N7060D	Piper PA-18A 150	Fixed-wing, single engine	3Ird Dog Aircraft LLC Billings, Montana	Multiple	2026-01-07	Valid
N9719K	Piper PA-28-151	Fixed-wing, single engine	Doco Engineering INC Red Bluff, California	Standard	2026-01-07	Valid
N1666A	Omf OMF-100-160	Fixed-wing, single engine	Dodger Aircraft LLC Lewes, Delaware	Standard	2026-01-06	Valid
N2060E	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Blackstone Aircraft LLC Hartselle, Alabama	Standard	2026-01-06	Valid
N418FL	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Iowa	Standard	2026-01-06	Valid
N5161X	Champion 7GCBC	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Alaska	Standard	2026-01-06	Valid
N5534K	Bellanca 7GCBC	Fixed-wing, single engine	Aerolife Aviation LLC Knox, Indiana	Standard	2026-01-06	Valid
N5536F	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Minnesota	Standard	2026-01-06	Valid
N7173R	Irving Steven THORP T-18	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Michigan	Experimental	2026-01-06	Valid
N75651	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner New York	Standard	2026-01-06	Valid
N13DD	Davidson Burdon Louis MARQUART MA-5	Fixed-wing, single engine	Rowland Brent Whitewright, Texas	Experimental	2026-01-05	Valid
N3134W	Maule MX-7-160	Fixed-wing, single engine	Dans Flying Service INC Crookston, Minnesota	Standard	2026-01-05	Valid
N4GC	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Jenner Enterprises LLC Partlow, Virginia	Standard	2026-01-04	Valid
N108AV	Piper PA-28-151	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Florida	Standard	2026-01-02	Valid
N41714	Piper PA-28-151	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Idaho	Standard	2026-01-02	Valid
N5130R	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner California	Standard	2026-01-02	Valid
N7737D	Piper PA-22-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Washington	Standard	2026-01-02	Valid
N84575	Cessna 172K	Fixed-wing, single engine	Pee Dee Avionics INC Chesterfield, South Carolina	Standard	2026-01-02	Valid
N89994	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Lon Aviation LLC Aspen, Colorado	Restricted	2026-01-02	Valid
N926BW	Bellanca 7GCBC	Fixed-wing, single engine	Trade Winds Aviation Holdings LLC Lewes, Delaware	Standard	2026-01-02	Valid
N334DM	Harle Harold L WITTMAN W-10	Fixed-wing, single engine	Tailwind Aviators LLC Carmel, Indiana	Experimental	2026-01-01	Valid
N3521P	Piper PA-22	Fixed-wing, single engine	Jet Jam LLC Layton, Utah	Standard	2026-01-01	Valid
N4411Z	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Montana	Standard	2026-01-01	Valid
N80952	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Withheld at owner's request	Standard	2026-01-01	Valid
N28RC	Vogt Richard G RV4	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Indiana	Experimental	2025-12-30	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.