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
N9836C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2023-04-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3510W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2023-04-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6355T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Brazos Valley Flight Services LLC
College Station, Texas
Standard 2023-04-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8915W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arkansas
Standard 2023-04-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7568P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-04-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2848D Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2023-04-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N113CJ Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2023-04-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N55517 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
North Carolina
Standard 2023-04-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7810P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Compass Aviation LLC
Lagrange, Georgia
Standard 2023-04-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8856W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2023-04-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2363U Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Syracuse Flying Club INC
Fayetteville, New York
Standard 2023-04-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3037U Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2023-04-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7718J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Prcs Logistics LLC
South Bound Brook, New Jersey
Standard 2023-04-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7323P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2023-04-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6167P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Oregon
Standard 2023-04-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6947P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2023-04-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8627L Piper
PA-25-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Southern Cub & Aircraft Restoration LLC
Pensacola, Florida
Standard 2023-04-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N757DG Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Nevada
Standard 2023-04-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N10SY Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 2023-04-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9003W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2023-04-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N480SC Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Zephyr Services LLC
Long Beach, California
Standard 2023-04-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N114WM Maule
M-7-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Maule Flight LLC
Nashville, Indiana
Standard 2023-04-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3677W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-04-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9113W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Flying Magic LLC
Post Falls, Idaho
Standard 2023-04-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2956B Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Florida Coatings & Waterproofing LLC
Fort Pierce, Florida
Standard 2023-04-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N406CW Britten-Norman
BN2A-26 ISLANDER
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Mcphillips Flying Service DBA
Charlevoix, Michigan
Standard 2023-04-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N608LE Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2023-04-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N64EH Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Red Stick Brothers LLC
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Standard 2023-04-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1497X Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Tundra Toyo and Heating LLC
Nome, Alaska
Standard 2023-04-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8973W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2023-04-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1061Q Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Lbdd Enterprises 61Q LLC
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Standard 2023-04-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N43595 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Indiana
Standard 2023-04-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5537S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Colorado
Standard 2023-04-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8351N Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Del Rio Aviation INC
Paso Robles, California
Standard 2023-04-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2820J Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Connecticut
Standard 2023-03-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N580DD Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maine
Standard 2023-03-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9010W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-03-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3378C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Montana
Standard 2023-03-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6301P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2023-03-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6516P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nebraska
Standard 2023-03-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N65HY Starr Charles W
SUPER REBEL SR2500
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Experimental 2023-03-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N927MP Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-03-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4812S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
North Carolina
Standard 2023-03-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7794P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2023-03-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8365P Piper
PA-24
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2023-03-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9210W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2023-03-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5352B Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2023-03-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3552W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Two Sixty Aviation LLC
Wilmington, North Carolina
Standard 2023-03-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5333P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arkansas
Standard 2023-03-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5536J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 2023-03-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9241W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2023-03-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9121W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Alaska
Standard 2023-03-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8569W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Columbia Gorge Community College
The Dalles, Oregon
Standard 2023-03-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3391W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2023-03-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N190Y Maule
M-7-235B
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2023-03-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6502P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wyoming
Standard 2023-03-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7698P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2023-03-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N88F Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2023-03-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9162W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Jersey
Standard 2023-03-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4927S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2023-03-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7183W Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2023-03-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7903P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2023-03-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N236JA Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine T & S Gentile INC
Wintersville, Ohio
Standard 2023-03-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3730W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Eye South Equipment LLC
Greenwood, Mississippi
Standard 2023-03-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4402Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2023-03-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3546W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Mississippi
Standard 2023-03-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6229M Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oregon
Standard 2023-03-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2945T Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Pinto Aviation LLC
Francestown, New Hampshire
Standard 2023-03-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8076P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maine
Standard 2023-03-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2168K Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Lj Dakota LLC
Berkeley Heights, New Jersey
Standard 2023-03-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3641W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2023-03-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5771P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Whisky Zulu INC
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Standard 2023-03-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6964P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2023-03-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2424H Atom Air Llc
SUPER TIGER CUB
Fixed-wing, single engine Atom Air LLC
Creekside, Pennsylvania
Experimental 2023-03-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9236E Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
South Dakota
Standard 2023-03-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7627P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Kill Stephen W
Granbury, Texas
Standard 2023-03-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6240P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2023-03-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6730P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Rhode Island
Standard 2023-03-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2294R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2023-03-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756ZN Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2023-03-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N18218 Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine All Spark Aviation LLC
Naples, Florida
Standard 2023-03-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8900W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2023-02-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7114R Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter University of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
Standard 2023-02-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756UH Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Montana
Standard 2023-02-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N568WF Piper
PA-32R-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Nevada
Standard 2023-02-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N16A Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Hendrix Aviation LLC
Benton, Arkansas
Standard 2023-02-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2926U Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2023-02-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6032P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Starrynight Bonanza Group LLC
Brighton, Colorado
Standard 2023-02-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6099V Rawdon
T1
Fixed-wing, single engine Aerial Sign In
Melbourne, Florida
Restricted 2023-02-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3815W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Ck Aviation LLC
Milledgeville, Georgia
Standard 2023-02-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5633H Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Alaska
Standard 2023-02-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N812LD Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2023-02-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9142W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Artman Holdings LLC
Safford, Arizona
Standard 2023-02-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9278W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine N9278W LLC
Corona, California
Standard 2023-02-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4253A Maule
M-7-235B
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-02-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7362Y Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine 32 Drakes LLC
Sulphur Bluff, Texas
Standard 2023-02-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3630W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2023-02-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N44747 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2023-02-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8236P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Montana
Standard 2023-02-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56155 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arkansas
Standard 2023-02-18 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.