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
N9136W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Notty Woman Holdings LLC
Salado, Texas
Standard 2023-09-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N217LF Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Watson Stuart Aviation LLC
Magnolia, Arkansas
Standard 2023-09-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6679P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Jmj Aviation LLC
Kalispell, Montana
Standard 2023-09-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N739CB Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wyoming
Standard 2023-09-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N75308 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Missouri
Standard 2023-09-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7833P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2023-09-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N739ZR Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Jw Horton Aviation LLC
Rogers, Arkansas
Standard 2023-09-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N81597 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine 5 Niner 7 LLC
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Standard 2023-09-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8671W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arkansas
Standard 2023-09-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737MZ Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2023-09-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8777W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Hendi Aviation LLC
New Castle, Colorado
Standard 2023-09-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N713JR Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-09-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N757WT Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Electrical Management Services
North Andover, Massachusetts
Standard 2023-09-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9146W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Gam Aviation LLC
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Standard 2023-09-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9202W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Patriot Flight Group LLC
Bossier City, Louisiana
Standard 2023-09-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N20AZ Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Delta Juliet Wings LLC
Kennesaw, Georgia
Standard 2023-09-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4472Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Silent Flight LLC
Payette, Idaho
Restricted 2023-09-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4707T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-09-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N29DM Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Colorado
Standard 2023-09-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6720P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2023-09-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8524W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Anchor Aviation LLC
Lester Prairie, Minnesota
Standard 2023-09-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56320 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2023-09-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8169P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Utah
Standard 2023-09-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5346P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2023-09-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N47EE Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Gt Aviation Solutions LLC
Mount Juliet, Tennessee
Standard 2023-08-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N81EC Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2023-08-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9152W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Teal Water Investments LLC
Blanco, Texas
Standard 2023-08-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N113JB Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Mcdonald Aviation INC
Knoxville, Tennessee
Standard 2023-08-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N364MG Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Cw Aviation LLC
Washta, Iowa
Standard 2023-08-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1696R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Moore Alan
Glenwood, Arkansas
Standard 2023-08-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5651P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2023-08-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N277DD Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Wicked Flyby LLC
Lewes, Delaware
Standard 2023-08-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8191P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine N8191P LLC
Snowflake, Arizona
Standard 2023-08-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756ZY Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-08-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N144DS Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2023-08-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15884 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2023-08-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1934J Rockwell International
114
Fixed-wing, single engine N1934J LLC
Highland Lakes, New Jersey
Standard 2023-08-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4248C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-08-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3917W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Air Tipton INC
Tipton, Iowa
Standard 2023-08-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7183P Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2023-08-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9116Z Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Iron 17 Investments LLC
Mount Pleasant, Texas
Standard 2023-08-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756YM Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2023-08-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7466P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Jmj Aviation LLC
Kalispell, Montana
Standard 2023-08-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8327L Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Massachusetts
Standard 2023-08-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15979 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Tron Aviation LLC
Newburgh, Indiana
Standard 2023-08-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5391P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Nevada
Standard 2023-08-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737CE Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2023-08-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756RV Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Mexico
Standard 2023-08-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8601N Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Lpm Sky Masters LLC
Green Cove Springs, Florida
Standard 2023-08-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5581J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Kts Spar Bay LLC
Coral Gables, Florida
Standard 2023-08-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8274V Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Sage Tech Flight Club LLC
Underwood, Washington
Standard 2023-08-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8913W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Mra Aviation INC
Springfield, Virginia
Standard 2023-08-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2683C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Washington
Standard 2023-08-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N235TL Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Georgia
Standard 2023-08-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3344W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2023-08-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3442W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Rad Eye LLC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2023-08-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9179E Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Frisco Flyers LLC
Macedonia, Illinois
Standard 2023-08-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N235CF Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2023-08-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2138N Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine J T Air INC
Dayton, Maryland
Standard 2023-08-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6369P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2023-08-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5258P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2023-08-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6050P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2023-08-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4889S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Tiger Wings LLC
Hoover, Alabama
Standard 2023-07-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3596W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
South Carolina
Standard 2023-07-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N941TA Siai-Marchetti
SF260
Fixed-wing, single engine Do Fly Aviation LLC
Silverdale, Washington
Standard 2023-07-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7584H Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine UAV Pro INC
Blackstone, Virginia
Standard 2023-07-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7741Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine North Florida Soaring Society INC
Jacksonville, Florida
Restricted 2023-07-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N738LP Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Python Financial LLC
Kalispell, Montana
Standard 2023-07-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7490P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2023-07-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7523Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine American AG Aviation LLC
Belden, Mississippi
Restricted 2023-07-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1755R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 2023-07-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5196S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2023-07-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3200W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2023-07-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4936T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Dakma LLC
Parma, Ohio
Standard 2023-07-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6440P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2023-07-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9239W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2023-07-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5191S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Tennessee
Standard 2023-07-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5767P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-07-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4973P Piper
PA-23-235
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Aviation Business CORP
Saint Louis, Missouri
Standard 2023-07-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N55839 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2023-07-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3038U Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Venbro Holdings LLC
Brooklyn, New York
Standard 2023-07-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N418L Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Gm Farm Service LLC
Santa Teresa, New Mexico
Standard 2023-07-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56395 Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Pursuit 53
College Station, Texas
Standard 2023-07-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7796P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Dsr Cherokee 180 LLC
Dallas, Texas
Standard 2023-07-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9078W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-07-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N121S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2023-07-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N28561 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Carter Boys Aviation LLC
Alma, Georgia
Standard 2023-07-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N11CV Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 2023-07-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3010K Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 2023-07-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5455E Helio
H-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2023-07-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4649T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine New York Aircam CORP
Woodbury, New York
Standard 2023-07-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N346RM Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2023-07-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3671C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Charlie Aviation LLC
Philpot, Kentucky
Standard 2023-07-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15551 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2023-07-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7733P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2023-07-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8579W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Florida
Standard 2023-06-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3736W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Florida
Standard 2023-06-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3960W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2023-06-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6753P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Georgia
Standard 2023-06-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8065P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 2023-06-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
Previous Page 13 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.