Engines · piston (reciprocating) · data as of October 9, 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

Texas2,351California2,123Florida2,077Alaska1,796Washington1,004Ohio731Georgia719Minnesota686North 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	719
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
N672T	Helie Claude MUSTANG II RG	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Utah	Experimental	2023-02-25	Valid
N733KB	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Galion Air INC Galion, Ohio	Standard	2023-02-25	Valid
N74LP	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Mendota Flyers LLC Middleton, Wisconsin	Standard	2023-02-25	Valid
N8119Q	Piper PA-28-161	Fixed-wing, single engine	Bay Lux Ventures LLC Tampa, Florida	Standard	2023-02-25	Valid
N8715N	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Kenmore Crew Leasing INC Trustee Bellingham, Washington	Standard	2023-02-25	Valid
N172QW	Cessna 172K	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Alabama	Standard	2023-02-24	Valid
N18972	Beech B19	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Tennessee	Standard	2023-02-24	Valid
N222BB	Beech 23	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Montana	Standard	2023-02-24	Valid
N439RB	Bower Rod RV-3A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Alexander Aviation LLC Brighton, Colorado	Experimental	2023-02-24	Valid
N51ER	American Champion Aircraft 7GCAA	Fixed-wing, single engine	Plane Fun INC Tr Trustee Snellville, Georgia	Standard	2023-02-24	Valid
N55402	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Idaho	Standard	2023-02-24	Valid
N5882L	American AA-5	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner South Carolina	Standard	2023-02-24	Valid
N6MB	Cessna 172K	Fixed-wing, single engine	Sierra Whiskey Aircraft LLC Oakland, California	Standard	2023-02-24	Valid
N8043J	Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA	Helicopter	Hartland Helicopters LLC Edinburg, Texas	Standard	2023-02-24	Valid
N2957P	Piper PA-22-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2023-02-23	Valid
N33147	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Wisconsin	Standard	2023-02-23	Valid
N44605	Piper PA-28-151	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Georgia	Standard	2023-02-23	Valid
N46101	Cessna 172I	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Florida	Standard	2023-02-23	Valid
N5086R	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Safety In Motion Flight Center INC Puyallup, Washington	Standard	2023-02-23	Valid
N5292E	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Jam Three LLC Saint George, Utah	Standard	2023-02-23	Valid
N5598U	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Texas	Standard	2023-02-23	Valid
N6413R	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Oregon	Standard	2023-02-23	Valid
N68541	Bellanca 7GCBC	Fixed-wing, single engine	Britt Crop Care INC Indianola, Mississippi	Standard	2023-02-23	Valid
N73113	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Top Flight Aviation INC Corona, California	Standard	2023-02-23	Valid
N82986	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2023-02-23	Valid
N94LJ	Johnson Leroy RV-4	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Idaho	Experimental	2023-02-23	Valid
N125K	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Minnesota	Standard	2023-02-22	Valid
N13269	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner North Dakota	Standard	2023-02-22	Valid
N172HL	Cessna 172K	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner New Hampshire	Standard	2023-02-22	Valid
N32462	Piper PA-28-151	Fixed-wing, single engine	Av8 Flight Services LLC Wichita Falls, Texas	Standard	2023-02-22	Valid
N40857	Piper PA-28-151	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Pennsylvania	Standard	2023-02-22	Valid
N4413Z	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Blackcountry Flying Experience INC Kalispell, Montana	Standard	2023-02-22	Valid
N4600J	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner North Carolina	Standard	2023-02-22	Valid
N55515	Cessna 172P	Fixed-wing, single engine	Fly Cessna LLC Peoria, Arizona	Standard	2023-02-22	Valid
N6780B	Piper PA-18A 150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner New York	Standard	2023-02-22	Valid
N734LG	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner North Carolina	Standard	2023-02-22	Valid
N80871	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Monnin Aviation LLC Amherst, New York	Standard	2023-02-22	Valid
N8469T	Piper PA-28-161	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Massachusetts	Standard	2023-02-22	Valid
N86879	Bellanca 7GCBC	Fixed-wing, single engine	Knik Flying Club LLC Anchorage, Alaska	Multiple	2023-02-22	Valid
N888AP	Piper PA-28-151	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Massachusetts	Standard	2023-02-22	Valid
N9046Q	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Wisconsin	Standard	2023-02-22	Valid
N9657S	Champion 7GCBC	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner South Dakota	Standard	2023-02-22	Valid
N98015	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Rd Aire LLC Opelika, Alabama	Standard	2023-02-22	Valid
N1381	Pitts S-1C	Fixed-wing, single engine	Plane Fun INC Tr Trustee Snellville, Georgia	Experimental	2023-02-21	Valid
N195SG	Sawyer Harry E VANS RV-6	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Connecticut	Experimental	2023-02-21	Valid
N2371E	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Tmc Shooting Range Specialist INC Valencia, California	Standard	2023-02-21	Valid
N50505	Bellanca 7GCBC	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Wyoming	Standard	2023-02-21	Valid
N55250	Cessna 172P	Fixed-wing, single engine	Colorado Aircraft CORP Watkins, Colorado	Standard	2023-02-21	Valid
N7790D	Piper PA-18A 150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner California	Standard	2023-02-21	Valid
N7972G	Cessna 172L	Fixed-wing, single engine	Minot Aero Center Minot, North Dakota	Standard	2023-02-21	Valid
N82453	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Alaska	Standard	2023-02-21	Valid
N8286E	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner New Mexico	Standard	2023-02-21	Valid
N88265	Bellanca 7GCBC	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Montana	Standard	2023-02-21	Valid
N8916V	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2023-02-21	Valid
N100PT	Traver Paul RV-4	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner California	Experimental	2023-02-20	Valid
N1352E	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Mclv2020 LLC Las Vegas, Nevada	Standard	2023-02-20	Valid
N18CR	Redden Clifton M THORP T-18	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Indiana	Experimental	2023-02-20	Valid
N3057P	Piper PA-23-150	Fixed-wing, multi-engine	Individual owner Michigan	Standard	2023-02-20	Valid
N3550P	Piper PA-22-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Oklahoma	Standard	2023-02-20	Valid
N3677M	Piper PA-12	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Alaska	Restricted	2023-02-20	Valid
N3854Z	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Warren Air LLC Turner, Montana	Multiple	2023-02-20	Valid
N40WN	Cessna 177	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner New York	Standard	2023-02-20	Valid
N6368N	Champion 7GCAA	Fixed-wing, single engine	S&S Aviation LLC Morse, Louisiana	Standard	2023-02-20	Valid
N7128G	Cessna 172K	Fixed-wing, single engine	Dsr Cherokee 180 LLC Dallas, Texas	Standard	2023-02-20	Valid
N733XM	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner California	Standard	2023-02-20	Valid
N832WW	Brown Kenneth C RV-4	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Nevada	Experimental	2023-02-20	Valid
N9148S	Beech B19	Fixed-wing, single engine	Blue Skies Aviation LLC Holland, Michigan	Standard	2023-02-20	Valid
N20270	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	River Town Aviation LLC Williamstown, West Virginia	Standard	2023-02-19	Valid
N5490H	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Superior Flying Services LLC Superior, Wisconsin	Standard	2023-02-19	Valid
N5720U	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Washington	Standard	2023-02-19	Valid
N6753J	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Michigan	Standard	2023-02-19	Valid
N9115F	Piper PA-18A 150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Montana	Standard	2023-02-19	Valid
N137FR	Cessna 172P	Fixed-wing, single engine	Moores Aerospace Solutions LLC Statesboro, Georgia	Standard	2023-02-18	Valid
N1871T	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Colorado	Standard	2023-02-18	Valid
N19954	Cessna 172M	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2023-02-18	Valid
N2624N	Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA	Helicopter	Boston Helicopters INC North Andover, Massachusetts	Standard	2023-02-18	Valid
N2900E	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Centaurus LLC Ontario, California	Standard	2023-02-18	Valid
N2KA	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Oregon	Standard	2023-02-18	Valid
N3773Y	Gulfstream American Corp AA-5B	Fixed-wing, single engine	Sirius Aeronautics LLC Buda, Texas	Standard	2023-02-18	Valid
N6794E	Cessna 172N	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Texas	Standard	2023-02-18	Valid
N7207Q	Cessna 172L	Fixed-wing, single engine	Mountain Peaks Aviation LLC Clancy, Montana	Standard	2023-02-18	Valid
N7571G	Cessna 172L	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Massachusetts	Standard	2023-02-18	Valid
N7615G	Cessna 172L	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner District of Columbia	Standard	2023-02-18	Valid
N84234	Cessna 172K	Fixed-wing, single engine	Mazelg Aviation LLC Bartow, Florida	Standard	2023-02-18	Valid
N9587U	Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5A	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner California	Standard	2023-02-18	Valid
N2816X	Cessna 177	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Oklahoma	Standard	2023-02-17	Valid
N3107T	Cessna 177	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Colorado	Standard	2023-02-17	Valid
N5018U	Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA	Helicopter	Flight Gate LLC Wilton, California	Standard	2023-02-17	Valid
N6168D	Piper PA-22-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner California	Standard	2023-02-17	Valid
N6268Z	Piper PA-25	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner North Dakota	Restricted	2023-02-17	Valid
N7140R	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner North Dakota	Standard	2023-02-17	Valid
N7408D	Piper PA-22-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Co-owned owner Washington	Standard	2023-02-17	Valid
N8063V	Piper PA-18-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Montana	Standard	2023-02-17	Valid
N1278T	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Tennessee	Standard	2023-02-16	Valid
N3653Z	Piper PA-22-150	Fixed-wing, single engine	Mandibles Edward JR Lompoc, California	Standard	2023-02-16	Valid
N47349	Piper PA-28-161	Fixed-wing, single engine	Fox Two LLC Camino, California	Standard	2023-02-16	Valid
N507FL	Piper PA-28-140	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Massachusetts	Standard	2023-02-16	Valid
N51991	Cessna 172P	Fixed-wing, single engine	Raider Aviation LLC Lubbock, Texas	Standard	2023-02-16	Valid
N54960	Cessna 172P	Fixed-wing, single engine	First Eclipse LTD Richmond, Virginia	Standard	2023-02-16	Valid
N60938	Cessna 150J	Fixed-wing, single engine	Individual owner Alaska	Standard	2023-02-16	Valid

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.

	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