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
N4591X Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Coral Air LLC
Rock Rapids, Iowa
Standard 2022-12-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3856W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2022-12-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5089Y Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2022-12-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5493P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Gear Up Aviation LLC
Santa Clara, California
Standard 2022-12-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N57347 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2022-12-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N299HE Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Heli 44 LLC
Freeland, Maryland
Standard 2022-12-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7781P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2022-12-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N227RF Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
West Virginia
Standard 2022-12-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N707CT Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Georgia
Standard 2022-12-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8886W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2022-12-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6443P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2022-12-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7076P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Devils Lake Aero Repair INC
Devils Lake, North Dakota
Standard 2022-12-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3579W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2022-12-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N55462 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Riverside Pilots INC
Riverside, California
Standard 2022-12-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2240B Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine K & D Dakota LLC
Avon, Ohio
Standard 2022-12-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4841Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Black Forest Soaring Society
Monument, Colorado
Restricted 2022-12-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6765P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2022-12-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2940T Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Colorado
Standard 2022-12-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5635M Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Idaho
Standard 2022-12-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N20448 Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Delta Echo Whiskey LLC
Apopka, Florida
Standard 2022-12-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4424R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2022-12-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N45110 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Bluebeck LTD
East Norwich, New York
Standard 2022-12-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N59LV Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2022-12-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6476T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Angel Air LTD
Smithvile, Ohio
Standard 2022-12-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8712E Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Bec Industries LLC
Toms River, New Jersey
Standard 2022-12-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9254W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2022-12-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3824W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Utah
Standard 2022-12-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N66FD Siai-Marchetti
SF260
Fixed-wing, single engine Extra Air LLC
Port Orange, Florida
Standard 2022-12-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56673 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Onward Aviation LLC
Brunswick, Georgia
Standard 2022-11-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6346T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kentucky
Standard 2022-11-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7685Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine High Flights Soaring Club INC
Peyton, Colorado
Standard 2022-11-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1188N Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Lll Aviation LLC
Durango, Colorado
Standard 2022-11-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N394X Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2022-11-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9288R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Shane Wilson Pa
Fort Myers, Florida
Standard 2022-11-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5517J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2022-11-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3268C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Lane Ryan Auctions LLC
Palmyra, Pennsylvania
Standard 2022-11-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7562P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Minden Aircraft Repair INC
Minden, Nevada
Standard 2022-11-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8952W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Massachusetts
Standard 2022-11-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N42GV Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2022-11-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8009P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Mexico
Standard 2022-11-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56371 Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2022-11-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7731P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2022-11-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9464W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kansas
Standard 2022-11-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N738NS Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2022-11-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8558W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2022-11-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N222GE Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2022-11-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N235BP Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2022-11-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6890P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2022-11-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8211V Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Pennsylvania College of Technology
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Standard 2022-11-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4785S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2022-11-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5528S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Centurion N761Lu LLC
Mukilteo, Washington
Standard 2022-11-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6218P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2022-11-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6424P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Christian Flying Club INC
Stilwell, Kansas
Standard 2022-11-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6157S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Kearley Christopher
Assonet, Massachusetts
Standard 2022-11-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6293P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2022-11-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N330DG Agusta Spa
F.260D
Fixed-wing, single engine Aerospace Trust Management LLC Trustee
Wilmington, Delaware
Special flight permit 2022-11-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5289T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2022-11-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7584Y Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2022-11-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N97HR Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
South Carolina
Standard 2022-11-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N67TS Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Kentucky
Standard 2022-11-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3295W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2022-11-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737MX Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2022-11-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7780P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Florida
Standard 2022-11-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N84WP Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2022-11-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6445T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2022-10-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N323AP Piper
PA-31-350
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Em Concordia INC
Brooklyn, New York
Standard 2022-10-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9453W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Lifetime Aviation Services LLC
Muncie, Indiana
Standard 2022-10-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7805P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine N6760S LLC
Brooklyn, New York
Restricted 2022-10-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N235H Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2022-10-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4918S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Silverado Sales INC
Orem, Utah
Standard 2022-10-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3369W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Blue Sky Aviation LLC
Attleboro, Massachusetts
Standard 2022-10-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6637P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2022-10-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9341W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2022-10-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8117K Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine N8117K Piper Dakota LLC
Palm Beach, Florida
Standard 2022-10-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7139T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2022-10-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N194MA Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Jb Air INC
Manhattan, Kansas
Standard 2022-10-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56477 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Ohio
Standard 2022-10-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8007P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Bec Solutions INC
Dallas, Texas
Standard 2022-10-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9471W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Midway Enterprises INC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2022-10-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2897W Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2022-10-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9449W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Professional Pilots INC
Lowell, Indiana
Standard 2022-10-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N563VW Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2022-10-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736YL Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Five Star Electric INC
Lakin, Kansas
Standard 2022-10-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3524W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Mississippi
Standard 2022-10-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7088P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 2022-10-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8519W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Ohio
Standard 2022-10-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6261P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2022-10-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N249RD Maule
M-7-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2022-10-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4380L Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Skelton Cattle CO LLC
Osceola, Nebraska
Standard 2022-10-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5527J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Beachside Transports LLC
Hampstead, North Carolina
Standard 2022-10-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8517W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2022-10-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8735W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Mexico
Standard 2022-10-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5924P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Idaho
Standard 2022-10-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9009W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2022-10-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N302CW Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2022-09-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1737R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2022-09-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N368BC Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Augustina Holdings LLC
Argyle, Texas
Standard 2022-09-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N44650 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2022-09-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N114ER Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2022-09-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8051P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2022-09-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
Previous Page 17 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.