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
N8810W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2023-06-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N901VW Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Aviation Business CORP
Saint Louis, Missouri
Standard 2023-06-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N738PK Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Tss Flying Club INC
Bethesda, Maryland
Standard 2023-06-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9363W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-06-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5641K Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oregon
Standard 2023-06-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5583J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine 5150 Ventures LLC
Effingham, Illinois
Standard 2023-06-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736YW Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Investments Property Holdings Aviation LLC
Jonesboro, Georgia
Standard 2023-06-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9864C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Aerowest LLC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2023-06-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1682R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Ohio
Standard 2023-06-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7891P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine N7891P Partners LLC
Suffolk, Virginia
Standard 2023-06-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7611P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Restricted 2023-06-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N225TV Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-06-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5377S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Oregon
Standard 2023-06-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N412PM Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oregon
Standard 2023-06-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5406P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 2023-06-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2202Y Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Stanley Aviation LLC
Colby, Kansas
Standard 2023-06-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N502MR Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2023-06-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8972W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Ima Pilot LLC
Sauk Rapids, Minnesota
Standard 2023-06-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N51572 Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine
Standard 2023-06-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5516J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2023-06-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5549N Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Rfd Aero LLC
Wilsonville, Oregon
Standard 2023-06-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9331W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-06-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3814W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine N3814W LLC
Maumee, Ohio
Standard 2023-06-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8117P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Bluj Solutions LLC
Raleigh, North Carolina
Standard 2023-06-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5125T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Adflight INC
Lafayette, Louisiana
Standard 2023-06-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N38DD Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-06-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N603JG Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Oz Aviation LLC
Bentonville, Arkansas
Standard 2023-06-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5663Y Maule
MX-7-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2023-06-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6201M Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oregon
Standard 2023-06-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8734L Piper
PA-25-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Dairyland Aviation INC
Waupun, Wisconsin
Restricted 2023-06-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5630V Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Mccardle Aviation LLC
Kalispell, Montana
Experimental 2023-06-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6169P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2023-06-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6877F Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Aces Full INC
Deadwood, South Dakota
Standard 2023-06-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8001P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Illinois
Standard 2023-06-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8596W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Mcm Legacy Enterprise LLC
Olmsted Twp, Ohio
Standard 2023-06-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6439P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2023-06-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9090X Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Illinois
Standard 2023-06-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9053C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
New Mexico
Standard 2023-06-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3541W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Flying Horsemen Aviation LLC
Lyons, Michigan
Standard 2023-06-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3790W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2023-06-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756GE Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wyoming
Standard 2023-06-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8364P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Sheeree CORP
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2023-05-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9150W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Utah
Standard 2023-05-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5533S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Ngb Construction INC
Ceres, California
Standard 2023-05-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736ZG Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Whiskey Romeo 1 LLC
Jacksonville, Florida
Standard 2023-05-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3564W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Wemyh Air LLC
Krum, Texas
Standard 2023-05-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6394P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2023-05-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8724W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Colorado
Standard 2023-05-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6789P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Dawn Aviation LLC
Pierce City, Missouri
Standard 2023-05-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2076J Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2023-05-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6272M Maule
MX-7-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2023-05-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8HG Grice
STARDUSTER TOO SA300
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Alabama
Experimental 2023-05-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15410 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-05-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6423P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-05-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8024P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine C Five Ranch INC
Leoti, Kansas
Standard 2023-05-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9096E Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2023-05-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3278W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Utah
Standard 2023-05-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4633S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Massachusetts
Standard 2023-05-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2897A Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Smiles Per Gallon LLC
Omaha, Nebraska
Standard 2023-05-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6368P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Rbr Aircraft INC
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Standard 2023-05-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9452W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Tennessee
Standard 2023-05-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N171MH Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Evolution Solid LLC
Salem, Oregon
Standard 2023-05-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N235TG Piper
PA-28
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2023-05-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2157F Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2023-05-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N322J Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine K & M Aviation LLC
West Liberty, Kentucky
Standard 2023-05-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N346JW Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2023-05-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N44586 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Ts Construction General Contractors INC
Yates Center, Kansas
Standard 2023-05-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N54904 Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Quality Aviation INC
Marana, Arizona
Restricted 2023-05-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7548P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Secolad N7548P LLC
Madison, Indiana
Standard 2023-05-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6938Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nebraska
Restricted 2023-05-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9479W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-05-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7073P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-05-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737FF Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Virginia
Standard 2023-05-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9635K Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine N9635K LLC
San Luis Obispo, California
Standard 2023-05-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N379S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Sky Chasers LLC
Mount Vernon, Washington
Standard 2023-05-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756PP Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine B&D Aviation LLC
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Standard 2023-05-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N111MB Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2023-05-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N644TP Holland
STARDUSTER TOO
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Experimental 2023-05-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737VT Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2023-05-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N409LA Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 2023-05-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N757EU Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine B2B Services LLC
Lincoln, California
Standard 2023-05-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9145C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Florida
Standard 2023-05-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9371W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2023-05-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6650P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2023-05-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3498W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-05-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7121Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Quality Aviation INC
Marana, Arizona
Restricted 2023-05-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N27AZ Nicholas H Zimmerman
BEARHAWK
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Experimental 2023-05-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4838Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Wisconsin
Restricted 2023-05-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6803Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Wisconsin
Restricted 2023-05-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N250RB Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Western Slope Aviators LLC
Delta, Colorado
Standard 2023-05-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N397X Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Mikepaparomeo LLC
Bend, Oregon
Standard 2023-04-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6273T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Landair Bovinae LLC
Canyon, Texas
Standard 2023-04-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8136Y Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2023-04-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4838T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Snow Leopard LTD
Incline Village, Nevada
Standard 2023-04-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7066Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Restricted 2023-04-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8873W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-04-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N460R Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2023-04-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5365P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2023-04-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6809P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
District of Columbia
Standard 2023-04-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756LQ Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine C2C Investments LLC
St George, Utah
Standard 2023-04-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
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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.