Engines · piston (reciprocating) · data as of October 8, 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

Model families, as a table

	aircraft
Cessna 172 Skyhawk	9,462
Piper PA-28 Cherokee, Warrior, Archer and Arrow	6,844
Piper PA-18 Super Cub	2,393
Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer and Colt	1,660
Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5 Traveler, Cheetah and Tiger	566
Bellanca 7 Citabria	563
Cessna 177 Cardinal	398
Piper PA-23 Apache and Aztec	347
Robinson R22	276
Champion 7 Citabria and Champ	266
American Champion Aircraft 7 Citabria and Champ	249
Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser	149

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

Texas2,351California2,123Florida2,077Alaska1,796Washington1,004Ohio731Georgia718Minnesota686North Carolina674Arizona659

By state, as a table

	aircraft
Texas	2,351
California	2,123
Florida	2,077
Alaska	1,796
Washington	1,004
Ohio	731
Georgia	718
Minnesota	686
North Carolina	674
Arizona	659

Kind of aircraft

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

By kind, as a table

	aircraft	share
Piston singles	26,597	97%
Piston twins	414	2%
Helicopters	303	1%
Gliders	1	0.0%

When the aircraft were built by decade

By decade built, as a table

	aircraft
1930	5
1940	234
1950	2,383
1960	5,444
1970	11,405
1980	1,935
1990	1,132
2000	831
2010	99
2020	55

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

Failure reports by year, as a table

	reports
95	2
96	1
97	2
98	6
00	7
01	39
02	24
03	39
04	30
05	41
06	23
07	32
08	18
09	15
10	13
11	7
12	10
13	4
14	6
15	2
16	9
17	1
18	6
19	1
20	3
21	1
23	2
25	1
26	4

Parts most often reported as the reports name them

Spar18Tube17Cylinder15Bulkhead9Alternator8Control Cable8Bolt7Carburetor7Fitting6Float6

Parts most reported, as a table

	reports
Spar	18
Tube	17
Cylinder	15
Bulkhead	9
Alternator	8
Control Cable	8
Bolt	7
Carburetor	7
Fitting	6
Float	6

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 2,351 of these aircraft
California 2,123 of these aircraft
Florida 2,077 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

The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/engine/lycoming-o-320-series.json.

Aircraft newest certificates first · 27,315

Tail no.	Maker and model	Group	Owner and base	Certificate	Registered	Status
N52290	Cessna 172P	Fixed-wing, single engine	Aa-Aero INC Fairfield, New Jersey	Standard	2013-03-14	Valid
N590R	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	USA Jet and Helicopter INC Denver, North Carolina	Standard	2013-03-14	Valid
N727TD	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Lean Aviation LLC Jacksonville, Florida	Standard	2013-03-14	Valid
N775GA	Grumman American Avn. Corp. GA-7	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Cougar Leasing LLC Everett, Washington	Standard	2013-03-14	Valid
N369AD	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Georgia	Standard	2013-03-13	Valid
N3873Q	Cessna 172L	Fixed-wing, single engine	Skywalker Flight School LLC Adrian, Michigan	Standard	2013-03-13	Valid
N6987B	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	State of Alaska Kodiak, Alaska	Standard	2013-03-13	Valid
N377CZ	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Pennsylvania	Standard	2013-03-12	Valid
N19839	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Marlin Air CORP Tavernier, Florida	Standard	2013-03-11	Valid
N28381	Piper PA-28-161	Fixed-wing, single engine	Hanscom Aero Club Hanscom Afb, Massachusetts	Standard	2013-03-08	Valid
N311K	Piper PA-18-135	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Connecticut	Standard	2013-03-08	Valid
N53065	Cessna 172P	Fixed-wing, single engine	Cherry Hill Aviation LLC Freetown, Indiana	Standard	2013-03-08	Valid
N18822	Buckley SPEZIO SPORT CB-2	Fixed-wing, single engine	School of Missionary Aviation Technology Ionia, Michigan	Experimental	2013-03-06	Valid
N353JL	Cessna 172I	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Missouri	Standard	2013-03-06	Valid
N4168J	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Maryland	Standard	2013-03-06	Valid
N64040	Cessna 172P	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Arizona	Standard	2013-03-06	Valid
N8861N	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Minnesota	Standard	2013-03-06	Valid
N5525K	Bellanca 7GCBC	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner California	Standard	2013-03-05	Valid
N61JH	Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA	Helicopter	Individual owner Alabama	Standard	2013-03-05	Valid
N8316D	Robinson Helicopter R22 MARINER	Helicopter	Marinephoto Helicopter LLC Rehoboth Beach, Delaware	Standard	2013-03-05	Valid
N1008M	Cessna 172L	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Pennsylvania	Standard	2013-03-04	Valid
N678AC	American Champion Aircraft 7GCAA	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Louisiana	Standard	2013-03-04	Valid
N73560	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Gospel Ministries International INC Collegedale, Tennessee	Standard	2013-03-04	Valid
N738BS	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Aircraft Solutions LLC Spokane, Washington	Standard	2013-03-04	Valid
N56474	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Montana	Standard	2013-02-28	Valid
N720FL	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Executive Flight Training & Services LLC Sanford, North Carolina	Standard	2013-02-28	Valid
N8971V	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Gibson Aviation Services LLC Hudson, Wisconsin	Standard	2013-02-28	Valid
N51700	Cessna 172P	Fixed-wing, single engine	Brown County Flying Club Aberdeen, South Dakota	Standard	2013-02-27	Valid
N7689G	Cessna 172L	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Nebraska	Standard	2013-02-27	Valid
N8587D	Piper PA-22-160	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Virginia	Standard	2013-02-27	Valid
N83454	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	M Mercer Livestock Transportation LLC Hyattville, Wyoming	Standard	2013-02-26	Valid
N5252X	Champion 7GCBC	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Virginia	Standard	2013-02-25	Valid
N739QA	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	St Clair Flyers Saint Clair, Michigan	Standard	2013-02-25	Valid
N1173M	Cessna 172K	Fixed-wing, single engine	Flathead Lake Aviation LLC Polson, Montana	Standard	2013-02-22	Valid
N47093	Interstate/Smith L6 S1B1	Fixed-wing, single engine	Skipper Consulting LLC Athens, Alabama	Standard	2013-02-22	Valid
N9942Y	Champion 7GCB	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Alaska	Multiple	2013-02-21	Valid
N107RF	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner New York	Standard	2013-02-20	Valid
N19848	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Alaska	Standard	2013-02-20	Valid
N32170	Piper PA-28-180	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2013-02-20	Valid
N7116R	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Wyoming	Standard	2013-02-20	Valid
N3552Z	Piper PA-22-160	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Washington	Standard	2013-02-19	Valid
N65690	Cessna 172P	Fixed-wing, single engine	690 LLC Carmel, Indiana	Standard	2013-02-19	Valid
N4633V	Varga Aircraft Corp. 2150A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Illinois	Standard	2013-02-15	Valid
N6411C	Piper PA-28-161	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Indiana	Standard	2013-02-15	Valid
N2626B	Bescoby Frank A VANS ACFT INC RV-9A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner California	Experimental	2013-02-14	Valid
N7767G	Cessna 172L	Fixed-wing, single engine	Performance Aviation LLC Fort Myers, Florida	Standard	2013-02-14	Valid
N715CW	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Florida	Standard	2013-02-13	Valid
N1324E	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Sorbi Aviation INC El Cajon, California	Standard	2013-02-12	Valid
N4832E	Champion 7GC	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Tennessee	Multiple	2013-02-12	Valid
N5197K	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	N5197K LLC Cheyenne, Wyoming	Standard	2013-02-12	Valid
N739WY	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	N739Wy LLC Cheyenne, Wyoming	Standard	2013-02-12	Valid
N9679Q	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Eagle Sky Patrol INC Deadwood, South Dakota	Standard	2013-02-12	Valid
N14318	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner South Dakota	Restricted	2013-02-11	Valid
N32386	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner California	Standard	2013-02-11	Valid
N5123T	Champion 7GCAA	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Michigan	Standard	2013-02-07	Valid
N5164E	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Nebraska	Standard	2013-02-07	Valid
N555EE	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner California	Standard	2013-02-07	Valid
N98158	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Illinois	Standard	2013-02-07	Valid
N4560Y	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Ohio	Standard	2013-02-06	Valid
N8171D	Piper PA-18A 150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Nebraska	Restricted	2013-02-06	Valid
N9865Y	Champion 7GCB	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Minnesota	Standard	2013-02-06	Valid
N7093F	Cessna 150F	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Restricted	2013-02-05	Valid
N80798	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Thomas Dean Properties LLC O Fallon, Missouri	Standard	2013-02-05	Valid
N4385W	Piper PA-28-161	Fixed-wing, single engine	Macair Aviation LLC Xenia, Ohio	Standard	2013-02-04	Valid
N4565A	Piper PA-22-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Alaska	Standard	2013-02-04	Valid
N6412F	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Rick Aviation INC Newport News, Virginia	Standard	2013-02-04	Valid
N76KR	Thorp T-18	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Florida	Experimental	2013-02-04	Valid
N8672E	Piper PA-28-151	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2013-02-04	Valid
N3589Q	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Illinois	Standard	2013-02-01	Valid
N579JK	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Wisconsin	Standard	2013-02-01	Valid
N7320F	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Rick Aviation INC Newport News, Virginia	Standard	2013-02-01	Valid
N9546H	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Montana	Standard	2013-02-01	Valid
N4407Z	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner New York	Standard	2013-01-31	Valid
N3524P	Piper PA-22-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Richard Waldren LLC Newberg, Oregon	Standard	2013-01-30	Valid
N9614S	Champion 7GCAA	Fixed-wing, single engine	Flatonia Veterinary Clinic INC Flatonia, Texas	Standard	2013-01-30	Valid
N12484	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Barber Brothers Rental Properties LLC Jackson, Georgia	Standard	2013-01-29	Valid
N2813T	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Kamper Gregory S Ripon, California	Standard	2013-01-29	Valid
N56105	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Minnesota	Standard	2013-01-29	Valid
N105JG	Mckibben Gerald H RV-6A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Sky Runner LLC Starkville, Mississippi	Experimental	2013-01-28	Valid
N32739	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Kansas	Standard	2013-01-28	Valid
N3750K	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Oklahoma	Standard	2013-01-28	Valid
N4547E	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	G&M Aircraft INC Wheat Ridge, Colorado	Standard	2013-01-28	Valid
N4956D	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Sorbi Aviation INC El Cajon, California	Standard	2013-01-28	Valid
N79079	Cessna 172K	Fixed-wing, single engine	Jones Farm Fresh LLC Bartlett, Tennessee	Standard	2013-01-28	Valid
N960VS	Piper PA-18A 150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Ohio	Standard	2013-01-28	Valid
N5832U	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner California	Standard	2013-01-25	Valid
N95426	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner North Dakota	Standard	2013-01-25	Valid
N7311D	Piper PA-22-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Kansas	Standard	2013-01-24	Valid
N2220K	Piper PA-22-160	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner California	Standard	2013-01-23	Valid
N64332	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	32 Leasing LLC Englewood, Colorado	Standard	2013-01-23	Valid
N476FM	Bellanca 7GCAA	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner California	Standard	2013-01-22	Valid
N61977	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Rdr Racing INC Latta, South Carolina	Standard	2013-01-22	Valid
N2866W	Piper PA-28-161	Fixed-wing, single engine	Bowman Field Flying Club INC Louisville, Kentucky	Standard	2013-01-18	Valid
N41594	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Wisconsin	Standard	2013-01-18	Valid
N9660P	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Alaska	Standard	2013-01-18	Valid
N9943Y	Champion 7GCB	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Michigan	Standard	2013-01-18	Valid
N40451	Piper PA-28-161	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner California	Standard	2013-01-17	Valid
N443ND	Piper PA-28-161	Fixed-wing, single engine	Ari Ben Aviator INC Fort Pierce, Florida	Standard	2013-01-17	Valid
N444ND	Piper PA-28-161	Fixed-wing, single engine	Ari Ben Aviator INC Fort Pierce, Florida	Standard	2013-01-17	Valid
N449ND	Piper PA-28-161	Fixed-wing, single engine	Ari Ben Aviator INC Fort Pierce, Florida	Standard	2013-01-17	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	2
96	1
97	2
98	6
00	7
01	39
02	24
03	39
04	30
05	41
06	23
07	32
08	18
09	15
10	13
11	7
12	10
13	4
14	6
15	2
16	9
17	1
18	6
19	1
20	3
21	1
23	2
25	1
26	4

	reports
95	2
96	1
97	2
98	6
00	7
01	39
02	24
03	39
04	30
05	41
06	23
07	32
08	18
09	15
10	13
11	7
12	10
13	4
14	6
15	2
16	9
17	1
18	6
19	1
20	3
21	1
23	2
25	1
26	4

	reports
95	2
96	1
97	2
98	6
00	7
01	39
02	24
03	39
04	30
05	41
06	23
07	32
08	18
09	15
10	13
11	7
12	10
13	4
14	6
15	2
16	9
17	1
18	6
19	1
20	3
21	1
23	2
25	1
26	4