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
N18KN Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Aeroventures Flying Club INC
Lilburn, Georgia
Standard 2021-12-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N565TP Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine N565Tp LLC
Vermilion, Ohio
Standard 2021-12-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6369T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2021-12-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7734J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine B & B Aviation LLC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2021-12-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N68JB Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Otto Pilot LLC
Everett, Washington
Standard 2021-12-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2785Q Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine A&R Aero LLC
Sacramento, California
Standard 2021-12-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5442P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Mountain Air Restoration
Bend, Oregon
Standard 2021-12-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8203P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2021-12-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9104W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kentucky
Standard 2021-12-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3942W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2021-12-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2636C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2021-12-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6256P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oregon
Standard 2021-12-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7820P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
South Carolina
Standard 2021-12-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6141P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Rs Agricultural Operations LLC
Dell City, Texas
Standard 2021-12-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7602P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Oregon
Standard 2021-12-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4105C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Oregon
Standard 2021-12-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2017E Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Plane Fun Flying Club
Vancouver, Washington
Standard 2021-12-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3554W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2021-12-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N318ME Siai-Marchetti
SF260
Fixed-wing, single engine 1St Avenue Ttc LLC
Los Angeles, California
Standard 2021-11-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4121A Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Airjohn LLC
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Standard 2021-11-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4949P Piper
PA-23-235
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2021-11-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3957W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
South Carolina
Standard 2021-11-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3792W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arkansas
Standard 2021-11-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9081W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2021-11-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9578E Bellanca
17-31ATC
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2021-11-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N226M Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2021-11-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3924W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2021-11-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N235ML Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2021-11-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8149E Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Nalrah LLC
Farmington Hills, Michigan
Standard 2021-11-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N777FM Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2021-11-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7050P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oregon
Standard 2021-11-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N222WA Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Wiseman Aviation INC
Flagstaff, Arizona
Standard 2021-11-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3772W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Blue Horizons Flying Club INC
Perrysburg, Ohio
Standard 2021-11-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3873W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Washington
Standard 2021-11-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7767P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2021-11-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8072Y Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2021-11-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8340P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2021-11-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7493P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2021-11-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4335M Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Condor Aero Club INC
Zelienople, Pennsylvania
Standard 2021-11-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6269M Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Alaska
Standard 2021-11-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8838P Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Logan Flyers LLC
Logan, Ohio
Standard 2021-11-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5257P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Aero Nautics INC
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Standard 2021-11-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N717PZ Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Thompson Helicopters LLC
Uvalde, Texas
Standard 2021-11-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9064W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2021-10-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2798C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Stone Aviation LLC
Sacramento, California
Multiple 2021-10-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3972W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2021-10-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4483C Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2021-10-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3833W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2021-10-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N827LB Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Capital Consulting LLC
Newport Beach, California
Standard 2021-10-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N40RS Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Wyoming
Standard 2021-10-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8747W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Ancient Waters Entertainment
Torrance, California
Standard 2021-10-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4522Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Aerial Messages Leasing CO
Longwood, Florida
Restricted 2021-10-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8516W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Wings Level Flying Club
Mechanicsville, Virginia
Standard 2021-10-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8284Y Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2021-10-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7498P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2021-10-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6327P Piper
PA-24
Fixed-wing, single engine Sunspot Investment CORP
Marathon, Florida
Standard 2021-10-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N93225 Siai-Marchetti
F.260
Fixed-wing, single engine Dr Carlton N Walker Dds LLC
Roswell, New Mexico
Standard 2021-10-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8843L Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2021-10-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N482P Piper
PA-28-180
Fixed-wing, single engine Sinsaja Holdings LLC
Sheridan, Wyoming
Standard 2021-10-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4873Y Piper
PA-25-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Cherry Hill Aviation INC
Freetown, Indiana
Restricted 2021-10-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N611X Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Bravo One LLC
Saint Louis, Missouri
Standard 2021-10-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N144EZ Piper
PA-32RT-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Florida Aviation LLC
Tallahassee, Florida
Standard 2021-10-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4826S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Massachusetts
Standard 2021-10-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N619MW Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Mw Price CORP
San Diego, California
Standard 2021-10-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N28235 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2021-10-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7344Y Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Jeffrey P Mcauley Dmd INC
Midland City, Alabama
Standard 2021-10-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N40801 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Island View Flying Club
Goleta, California
Standard 2021-10-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N625PB Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Forward Aviation LLC
Statesville, North Carolina
Standard 2021-09-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N260MA Siai-Marchetti
SF260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Massachusetts
Standard 2021-09-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N269PB Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Hmw LLC
La Grange, North Carolina
Standard 2021-09-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N757UG Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine 2Lyons Enterprises LLC
Wellington, Florida
Standard 2021-09-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N244CC Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Thompson Helicopters LLC
Uvalde, Texas
Standard 2021-09-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2177F Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
South Carolina
Standard 2021-09-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6707Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Hood River Soaring INC
Hood River, Oregon
Standard 2021-09-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6856P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2021-09-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3526W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine N3526W Holding LLC
Harlem, Georgia
Standard 2021-09-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7923P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2021-09-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N757VY Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2021-09-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2955B Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2021-09-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N347JP Piggott John H
BEARHAWK
Fixed-wing, single engine Phantom Flyer LLC
Yelm, Washington
Experimental 2021-09-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N43380 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Vanderpool Aviation LLC
Liverpool, New York
Standard 2021-09-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7561P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2021-09-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8544N Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2021-09-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N85CT Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Aerobsession LLC
Erie, Colorado
Standard 2021-09-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N16497 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wyoming
Standard 2021-09-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2232Q Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2021-09-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N268JC Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2021-09-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5452P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Oregon
Standard 2021-09-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N182AJ Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine N182Aj LLC
Hamilton, Montana
Standard 2021-09-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56765 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Georgia
Standard 2021-09-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N767WD Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Hampshire
Standard 2021-09-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N407FD Agusta Spa
F.260D
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Special flight permit 2021-09-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4705P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Co-owned owner
Oregon
Standard 2021-09-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6629F Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Cloud10 Aviators LLC
Benton, Louisiana
Standard 2021-08-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N711TA Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine North Star Equipment LLC
Simms, Montana
Standard 2021-08-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737JL Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine N737Jl LLC
Dimmitt, Texas
Standard 2021-08-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4906S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2021-08-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7621E Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Grey Matter INC
Valley Springs, California
Standard 2021-08-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3813W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2021-08-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9203E Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Wet Wings INC
Coeur D Alene, Idaho
Standard 2021-08-24 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.