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
N5292P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2022-09-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8286P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Stage Crew LLC
Clermont, Florida
Standard 2022-09-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3664W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 2022-09-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N125LA Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Russell Aviation LLC
San Diego, California
Standard 2022-09-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4386Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Soaring Club of Houston
Waller, Texas
Standard 2022-09-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N45PG Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Raven Aircraft LLC
Camas, Washington
Standard 2022-09-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N85TP Wonder Michael S
HARMON ROCKET
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Experimental 2022-09-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N236MH Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Million Air Aviation LLC
Queen Creek, Arizona
Standard 2022-09-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9358W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2022-09-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8673W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Leibel Chad J
Canby, Minnesota
Standard 2022-09-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6444T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Yankee Flying Club INC
Maple Grove, Minnesota
Standard 2022-09-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3625C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 2022-09-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7833B Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2022-09-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7046G Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Helo Operations LLC
Waynesville, Missouri
Standard 2022-09-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9218W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2022-09-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N283R Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2022-09-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5871P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Louisiana
Standard 2022-09-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6559P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2022-09-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7046Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Restricted 2022-09-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7765P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2022-09-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N540DR Reed David F
SKYBOLT
Fixed-wing, single engine Toribio LLC
San Antonio, Texas
Experimental 2022-09-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N182EB Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine 182 Flyers LLC
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Standard 2022-08-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N111LU Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2022-08-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7395X Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Brl Air LLC
Onsted, Michigan
Standard 2022-08-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6981P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Shakis Bear LLC
O Neill, Nebraska
Standard 2022-08-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7460P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Wyoming
Standard 2022-08-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5746P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Yinyan Tech US INC
Brea, California
Standard 2022-08-23 Reports overdueFAA registration status code N: Non-citizen corporation that has not returned its flight-hour reports. All codes
N5350S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Silver Tree LLC
Southern Pines, North Carolina
Standard 2022-08-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7803P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Mexico
Standard 2022-08-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15363 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Creativity Before Capital LLC
Tampa, Florida
Standard 2022-08-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4971P Piper
PA-23-235
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2022-08-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4872H Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2022-08-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7720J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine 3C Aviation Lc
Clare, Michigan
Standard 2022-08-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N132HM Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Michels Agribusiness INC
Plentywood, Montana
Standard 2022-08-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N414FH Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2022-08-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3713W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Rvn Trucking LLC
Tilden, Nebraska
Standard 2022-08-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N223BD Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine N223Bd LLC
Fresno, California
Standard 2022-08-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N626CW Wolff Charles
STARDUSTER TOO
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Mississippi
Experimental 2022-08-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N14FC Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Jwc59 LLC
Newnan, Georgia
Standard 2022-08-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9055C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Bison Aero LLC
Kalispell, Montana
Standard 2022-08-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N10TU Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Action Aviation LLC
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Standard 2022-08-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7393Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Restricted 2022-08-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9103W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2022-08-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N32BZ Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Multiple 2022-08-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N853VL Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Blue Waters Air Charters LLC
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Standard 2022-08-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3254W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arkansas
Standard 2022-08-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5329Y Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Flying Fish Ranch 29Y LLC
Leesburg, Florida
Standard 2022-08-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6YS Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Hawk Aircraft Sales & Leasing LLC
Sterling Heights, Michigan
Standard 2022-08-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756JY Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2022-08-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756TL Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Michael Maiden LLC
Sandy, Oregon
Standard 2022-08-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N272C Siai-Marchetti
SF.260B
Fixed-wing, single engine Skythrills! LLC
Fullerton, California
Standard 2022-08-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6036P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2022-08-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6985P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2022-08-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9328W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 2022-08-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15788 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arkansas
Standard 2022-08-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5805P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Grace Family Fellowship INC
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Standard 2022-07-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8278H Callair
A-9
Fixed-wing, single engine Cedar Hill Aviation Service Llpc
Cedar Hill, Tennessee
Restricted 2022-07-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5298P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2022-07-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8848W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2022-07-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3812W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Tuned Up Services INC
Waldo, Florida
Standard 2022-07-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N644EZ Robinson Helicopter
R44 II
Helicopter Northern Air Spray LLC
Maple Grove, Minnesota
Multiple 2022-07-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N355SX Scaled Composites Llc
355
Fixed-wing, single engine Scaled Composites LLC
Mojave, California
Experimental 2022-07-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8337A Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Pn4 Aviation Holdings LLC
Bishop, California
Standard 2022-07-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3584W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2022-07-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5949P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2022-07-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N456CA Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2022-07-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N182E Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2022-07-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6992Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Soaring Club of Houston INC
Waller, Texas
Restricted 2022-07-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N49192 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Torii Aviation LLC
Naperville, Illinois
Standard 2022-07-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6015P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2022-07-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6702P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2022-07-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3746W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine N3746W CORP
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2022-07-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7592P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2022-07-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2309N Christensen-Frank
CHRISTEN EAGLE I-F
Fixed-wing, single engine Eaa Aviation Foundation INC
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Experimental 2022-07-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N381X Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2022-07-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4772T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Caballeros Aircraft LLC
Snohomish, Washington
Standard 2022-07-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7262P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2022-07-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2658C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2022-06-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9672E Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Movex Virginia LLC
Leesburg, Virginia
Standard 2022-06-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6461P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2022-06-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8275H Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Montgomery Aviation CORP
Montgomery, Alabama
Standard 2022-06-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N478AT Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Airmen Testing and Training INC
Lantana, Florida
Standard 2022-06-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4339T Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Jpm Investment Group LLC
Pascoag, Rhode Island
Standard 2022-06-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4820S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Calico Construction INC
Kensington, Maryland
Standard 2022-06-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736RG Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine
Standard 2022-06-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N38708 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2022-06-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9071E Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Antique Aircraft and Automobile LLC
Van Alstyne, Texas
Standard 2022-06-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8324P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Cirrus Air LLC
Eden, North Carolina
Standard 2022-06-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756XF Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kansas
Standard 2022-06-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N39MV Piper
AEROSTAR 601P
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Medical Transport INC
Dover, Delaware
Standard 2022-06-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2337U Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine One Niner Right LLC
Berkeley, California
Standard 2022-05-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N802SA Britten-Norman
BN-2B-21
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Spirit Air INC
Salmon, Idaho
Standard 2022-05-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7341X Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Rth Enterprise INC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2022-05-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756EM Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Pacific Aircraft Management LLC
Tacoma, Washington
Standard 2022-05-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7503P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2022-05-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7586Y Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 2022-05-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N50TH Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine D&J Aviation LLC
Sandy, Utah
Standard 2022-05-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7420P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2022-05-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8255J Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Berkshire Aviation Enterprises LLC
Great Barrington, Massachusetts
Standard 2022-05-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7373Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Red Willow Aviation & Spraying INC
Mccook, Nebraska
Restricted 2022-05-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
Previous Page 18 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.