The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Engines · piston (reciprocating) · data as of October 8, 2026

Lycoming O-540 series

5,244 aircraft on the U.S. register carry a Lycoming O-540 series engine, rated at about 250 horsepower. The Piper PA-28 Cherokee, Warrior, Archer and Arrow is the model most often fitted with it (1,226 aircraft). The aircraft carrying it were built between 1958 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-540 series (2 codes). FAA spellings: 0-540 SERIES · O-540 SERIES.

When the aircraft were built by decade

By decade built, as a table
aircraft
19404
1950428
19601,898
19701,491
1980521
1990132
2000123
20106
202011

What the FAA has certified, ordered and been told about the Lycoming O-540 series the component layer

The design is held under 1 type certificate (E-295, held by Lycoming Engines). The FAA has issued 28 airworthiness directives (orders that owners must comply with) that name this engine series. Operators and repair shops have filed 304 failure reports with the FAA since 1995, 20 of them in the last ten years.

FAA orders 28 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
2012-10-242012-19-01 · Crankshafts · engine

All orders naming the Lycoming O-540 series

Failure reports 304 since · what operators and shops told the FAA

01530466195000510152025126
Failure reports by year, as a table
reports
9514
9626
975
9811
992
0015
0120
0261
0318
0425
0513
0618
0712
083
094
1011
114
125
136
143
157
161
171
183
194
203
211
223
231
242
251
261

Parts most often reported as the reports name them

Magneto11Light10Carburetor8Line8Clamp7Pin7Valve7Boot6Bulkhead6Hose6
Parts most reported, as a table
reports
Magneto11
Light10
Carburetor8
Line8
Clamp7
Pin7
Valve7
Boot6
Bulkhead6
Hose6

Latest reports

2026-05-09Thrust Button: faulty
2025-06-06Housing: failed
2024-09-25Magneto: making metal
2024-04-02Rod: scored
2023-06-27Solenoid: defective

Certificates and bulletins

E-295Type certificate held by Lycoming Engines · 47 models listed · revised April 30, 2013

Safety bulletins 10 · 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-o-540-series.json.

Aircraft newest certificates first · 5,244

Tail no.Maker and modelGroupOwner and baseCertificateRegisteredStatus
N3671W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2023-12-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4517Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Restricted 2023-12-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3406W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Qwikflights LLC
Herriman, Utah
Standard 2023-12-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3982W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2023-12-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3FN Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Freedom Wings LLC
Spout Spring, Virginia
Standard 2023-12-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4429Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Blackstone Aircraft LLC
Hartselle, Alabama
Restricted 2023-12-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N124MA Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Idaho
Standard 2023-12-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4916P Piper
PA-23-235
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Piper Aviation Museum Foundation
Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
Standard 2023-12-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3651W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2023-12-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N411VF Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2023-12-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N757SQ Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-12-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9123P Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Eye Sea Aviation LLC
Wilmington, North Carolina
Standard 2023-12-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7369P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Grier Randall
Owasso, Oklahoma
Standard 2023-12-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7463Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Treasure Coast Soaring Club
Port Saint Lucie, Florida
Restricted 2023-12-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2946B Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Reading Aero Club INC
Reading, Pennsylvania
Standard 2023-12-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N32681 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Montana
Standard 2023-12-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N208EZ Siai-Marchetti
S 208
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2023-12-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N39WB Byles
SKYBOLT
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Experimental 2023-12-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7180P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine 352 Aviation LLC
Clermont, Florida
Standard 2023-12-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8303D Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Phoenix Mooney LLC
Vista, California
Standard 2023-12-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9099E Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2023-12-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N235WE Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Restricted 2023-12-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N433ST Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Cirrus Chaser LLC
Thomasville, Georgia
Standard 2023-12-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N738BD Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine A Street LLC
Arden Hills, Minnesota
Standard 2023-12-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7727P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Taylor Aviation LLC
Corning, Arkansas
Standard 2023-12-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4512Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2023-12-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6181T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Free Theta Aeronauctics LLC
Sacramento, California
Standard 2023-12-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8450T Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
New Jersey
Standard 2023-12-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N260X Siai-Marchetti
SF260
Fixed-wing, single engine Axel Aviation INC
Roswell, Georgia
Standard 2023-11-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N326RA S.O.C.A.T.A.
RALLYE 235E
Fixed-wing, single engine Golden Pegasus LLC
Hughson, California
Standard 2023-11-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6154M Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Utah
Standard 2023-11-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7309P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District
Pleasanton, Texas
Restricted 2023-11-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7316P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2023-11-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N101NW Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Vortex Aircrafts INC
Port Saint Lucie, Florida
Standard 2023-11-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7128P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2023-11-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56766 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 2023-11-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2828U Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Wolf River Aviation LLC
Memphis, Tennessee
Standard 2023-11-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9352W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2023-11-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6170S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Nice Flight LLC
Medford, Oregon
Standard 2023-11-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4484Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Masterwings LLC
Princeton, Kentucky
Restricted 2023-11-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736TG Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2023-11-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3830W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Kris Noone Air LLC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2023-11-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4922S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2023-11-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N925PB Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine
Standard 2023-11-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N567SF International Aeromarine Corp
TA16 SEAFIRE
Fixed-wing, single engine Cockpit LLC
Melbourne, Florida
Experimental 2023-11-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8291P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2023-11-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6286P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Idaho
Standard 2023-11-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9066R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Restricted 2023-11-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N12134 Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 2023-11-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9487R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Boyer Air Lc
West Des Moines, Iowa
Standard 2023-11-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N34DL Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Adlava LLC
Dover, Ohio
Standard 2023-11-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8615W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Jefferson Community & Technical College Foundation
Louisville, Kentucky
Standard 2023-11-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N389CA Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2023-11-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5425S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Florida
Standard 2023-11-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3073G Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine N3073G LLC
San Diego, California
Standard 2023-11-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8288P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Montana
Standard 2023-11-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N122MW Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Kansas
Standard 2023-11-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3686W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2023-11-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9477W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2023-11-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6711P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Washington
Standard 2023-11-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7556Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Ultra AG Cropdusters LLC
Le Mars, Iowa
Restricted 2023-11-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8878W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Oregon
Standard 2023-11-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5792P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2023-11-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N811JB Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Gaskin Aviation LLC
Tallahassee, Florida
Standard 2023-11-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9261W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Flightshare Holdings LLC
Lewes, Delaware
Standard 2023-10-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5357K Ryan
NAVION B
Fixed-wing, single engine Air Hammer Two LLC
Gulf Breeze, Florida
Standard 2023-10-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8344P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Florida
Standard 2023-10-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N41579 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Mississippi
Standard 2023-10-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N43AN Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2023-10-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6810 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2023-10-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N718MJ Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Valiair LTD CO Trustee
Casper, Wyoming
Standard 2023-10-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9106W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 2023-10-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6145S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Planey Mcplane Face LLC
N Richlnd Hls, Texas
Standard 2023-10-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7551P Piper
PA-24
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2023-10-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3742W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2023-10-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N92239 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Kingdom Air LLC
Kalispell, Montana
Standard 2023-10-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3909W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Massachusetts
Standard 2023-10-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3525W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2023-10-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1465T Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arkansas
Standard 2023-10-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2343U Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2023-10-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N32796 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2023-10-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N16387 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2023-10-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3348W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2023-10-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3843W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Missouri
Standard 2023-10-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9005P Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2023-10-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7449P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Utah
Standard 2023-10-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N60UM Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Wbyaa LLC
Saline, Michigan
Standard 2023-09-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N999KW Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2023-09-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6347T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2023-09-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3378W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2023-09-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4795Y Piper
PA-25-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Piper 4795Y Aviation Services LLC
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Restricted 2023-09-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7389P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Nordic Elevated INC
Eden, Utah
Standard 2023-09-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5143P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Unusual Attitudes LLC
Bates City, Missouri
Standard 2023-09-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6419P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Helisur USA LLC
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Standard 2023-09-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6632Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Franconia Soaring Association
Franconia, New Hampshire
Restricted 2023-09-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5236Y Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Svh Flying Operations LLC
Mooresville, North Carolina
Standard 2023-09-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N67180 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
North Carolina
Standard 2023-09-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7754P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Magner Air LLC
Leesburg, Virginia
Standard 2023-09-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6835P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2023-09-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9017W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-09-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
Previous Page 12 of 53 Next

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.