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
N9218C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2021-05-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N107RH Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2021-05-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2280T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2021-05-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7412P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Espyess Aviation LLC
Sylvania, Ohio
Standard 2021-05-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4871S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Laingkids LLC
Lewes, Delaware
Standard 2021-05-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5147P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
New Mexico
Standard 2021-05-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6152S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine N6152S LLC
Sheldon, North Dakota
Standard 2021-05-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7693P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2021-05-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9139C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine A F S INC
Grants Pass, Oregon
Standard 2021-05-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N174GP Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2021-05-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N204RK Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Florida
Standard 2021-05-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N131JL Britten-Norman
BN-2A
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Islander Holdings LTD
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Standard 2021-05-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N200MU Britten-Norman
BN-2A-27
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Islander Holdings LTD
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Standard 2021-05-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2178S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2021-05-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9107C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Cagle Holdings LLC
Jenks, Oklahoma
Standard 2021-05-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8694N Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Citadelle Holdings LLC
Palmetto Bay, Florida
Standard 2021-05-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3477W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2021-04-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6130P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2021-04-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N33153 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Pathfinder Ff LLC
Dover, Delaware
Standard 2021-04-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N10CR Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Carlile Aviation LLC
Peculiar, Missouri
Standard 2021-04-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5559P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Sky West Aviation INC Trustee
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Standard 2021-04-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4840T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2021-04-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8659W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2021-04-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N904PM Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2021-04-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3826W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 2021-04-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4687S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine P & V Howard Enterprises LLC
Angleton, Texas
Standard 2021-04-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4813S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Wescomp LLC
Kissimmee, Florida
Standard 2021-04-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7725P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2021-04-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N198T Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2021-04-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3513W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 2021-04-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4689S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2021-04-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5859P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Montana
Standard 2021-04-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7615P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Fly High Ventures LLC
Chester, Virginia
Standard 2021-04-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6528P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 2021-04-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7877P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Louisiana
Standard 2021-04-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8342P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2021-04-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N717WS Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Cutting Edge Sales LLC
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Standard 2021-04-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N111FF Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2021-04-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3207W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Zero Seven Whiskey LLC
Norco, California
Standard 2021-04-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3338W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2021-04-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8930W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Mexico
Standard 2021-04-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9233R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2021-04-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3342W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Two Sons Aero LLC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2021-04-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6143T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2021-04-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N92AF Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 2021-04-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6548P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
South Carolina
Standard 2021-04-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7933P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
South Dakota
Standard 2021-04-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6103J Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2021-04-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8114R Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Maine
Standard 2021-04-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N14BE Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Belmont Circle LLC
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Standard 2021-04-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6934P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2021-04-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N586SB Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Kareon Consulting LLC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2021-03-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N827RD Piper
PA-31-350
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Goyo Air LLC
Miami, Florida
Standard 2021-03-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9123C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2021-03-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3971W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Jma Aero LLC
Reedsville, Pennsylvania
Standard 2021-03-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7038P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 2021-03-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3447W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2021-03-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4782P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2021-03-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7482P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine N9246K CORP LLC
Federal Way, Washington
Standard 2021-03-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N367HR Piper
PA-32R-301T
Fixed-wing, single engine Arrow Flight LLC
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Standard 2021-03-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N76SW Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
South Carolina
Standard 2021-03-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3138C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Turbo-Sphere INC
Longmont, Colorado
Standard 2021-03-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4571T Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2021-03-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N62JM Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 2021-03-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2970T Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arkansas
Standard 2021-03-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8730L Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine 2 Broke Pilots LLC
Foley, Alabama
Restricted 2021-03-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N469BK Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2021-03-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N738VW Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Awnf LLC
Burleson, Texas
Standard 2021-03-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4772Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2021-03-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8284P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2021-03-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8750L Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2021-03-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8269B Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Colorado
Standard 2021-03-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4PL Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Juliet Kilo Aviation LLC
Palos Heights, Illinois
Standard 2021-03-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4728T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Three Prop LLC
Dallas, Texas
Standard 2021-03-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N711NE Aero Commander
500
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Commander Flight Group LLC
Charlotte, North Carolina
Standard 2021-03-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8677W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2021-03-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N23WG Piper
PA-23
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2021-03-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7520P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2021-03-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5784P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2021-03-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N954J Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2021-02-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4678T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Georgia
Standard 2021-02-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5272P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2021-02-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N55331 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Scholl Oil & Transportation Company
Holyoke, Colorado
Standard 2021-02-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N64EW Piper
PA-32-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2021-02-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736YZ Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Hamilton Rial PC
Austin, Texas
Standard 2021-02-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2143P Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2021-02-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7525P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2021-02-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7533P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2021-02-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2281T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Avpac Insurance Services INC
Santa Ana, California
Standard 2021-02-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8124Q Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Mn Badger Aviation LLC
Rochester, Minnesota
Standard 2021-02-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8180P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Delaware
Standard 2021-02-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4479Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2021-02-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9295W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine H&H Aircraft LLC
Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Standard 2021-02-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7578Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Silent Flight LLC
Payette, Idaho
Restricted 2021-02-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7751P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Gulf South Aero LLC
Raymond, Mississippi
Standard 2021-02-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N816TX Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2021-02-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8695W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Utah
Standard 2021-02-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N25830 Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Colorado
Restricted 2021-02-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7517P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2021-02-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N122CP Maule
MT-7-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Florida Seaplanes LLC
Altamonte Springs, Florida
Standard 2021-01-29 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.