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
N6140P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Brake It LLC
Pensacola, Florida
Standard 2021-01-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N757LK Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2021-01-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7999P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2021-01-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7329P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Slm Holdings LLC
Kalispell, Montana
Standard 2021-01-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9057W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Wright Laine Properties LLC
Raleigh, North Carolina
Standard 2021-01-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N857DK Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2021-01-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8106P Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Prime Directive LLC
Olympia, Washington
Standard 2021-01-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3481W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Sandpiper Air LLC
Charles Town, West Virginia
Standard 2021-01-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56691 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2021-01-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4598T Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2021-01-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5146S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2021-01-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8739W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kansas
Standard 2021-01-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8784P Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2021-01-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9236W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Schmidt Robert
Winchester, Wisconsin
Standard 2021-01-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2200Y Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Barber Aviation LLC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2021-01-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9763H Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Reed Grain & Bean INC
Buhl, Idaho
Standard 2021-01-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6290B Aero Commander
500
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Caribbean Shuttle LLC
Aventura, Florida
Standard 2021-01-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8130P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2021-01-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8264G Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2021-01-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N811S Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Smith Helicopters INC
Cotulla, Texas
Standard 2021-01-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N138LW Britten-Norman
BN-2A-27
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Island Air Charters INC
Ft Lauderdale, Florida
Standard 2021-01-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8243P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Mountain Mooney INC
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Standard 2021-01-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3011N Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2021-01-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N779KS Britten-Norman
BN-2A-27
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Island Air Charters INC
Ft Lauderdale, Florida
Standard 2021-01-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8968W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Rc Skywagon LLC
Miami, Florida
Standard 2021-01-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4773T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kentucky
Standard 2020-12-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5947P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Jam Naba Sem LLC
Beavercreek, Ohio
Standard 2020-12-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8384S Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2020-12-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5AR Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2020-12-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4688S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2020-12-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8791L Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Restricted 2020-12-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N312EC Aero Commander
500
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2020-12-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5362F Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2020-12-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N620HL Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Cherokee Aire LLC
Port Orange, Florida
Standard 2020-12-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N346RA S.O.C.A.T.A.
RALLYE 235E
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2020-12-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7177P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Restricted 2020-12-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N136Y Piper
PA-24
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2020-12-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N60PL Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Papa Lima LLC
York, Nebraska
Standard 2020-12-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8355P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 2020-12-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8755W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2020-12-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4274K Maule
M-7-260C
Fixed-wing, single engine Aqua Aero LLC
Walnut Cove, North Carolina
Standard 2020-12-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5358T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Missouri
Standard 2020-12-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6459P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2020-12-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736WX Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Stone Aviation LLC
Cusick, Washington
Restricted 2020-12-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8622W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2020-11-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N78329 Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2020-11-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5259P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2020-11-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7989P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2020-11-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3555W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine F&F Aviation LLC
Worthington, Ohio
Standard 2020-11-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8523N Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arkansas
Standard 2020-11-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6833P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2020-11-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6504Y Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
California
None on file 2020-11-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7359T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2020-11-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8843W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2020-11-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N554LB Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Sons Family Enterprises LLC
Wichita Falls, Texas
Standard 2020-11-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736HF Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2020-11-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N235CP Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Minnesota
Standard 2020-11-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N44130 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Hampshire
Standard 2020-11-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5283P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2020-11-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N555FC Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2020-11-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6538P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2020-10-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7025P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine A Precious Life Flight LLC
Bend, Oregon
Standard 2020-10-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8532W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Standard 2020-10-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3564D Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Kar Aviation LLC
Indialantic, Florida
Standard 2020-10-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4106C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Air Data Solutions LLC
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Standard 2020-10-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8860W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Layth Air LLC
Martin, Tennessee
Standard 2020-10-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1333P Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Jones Robert Conrad
Seeley Lake, Montana
Standard 2020-10-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6635P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 2020-10-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6948P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2020-10-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7549P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2020-10-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N236MK Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2020-10-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3302W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Ksnl Aero LLC
Shawnee, Oklahoma
Standard 2020-10-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N107AK Maule
M-7-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Restricted 2020-10-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4761T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2020-10-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N621DH Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Pic Aviation LLC
Fort Valley, Georgia
Standard 2020-10-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N84KL Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Spitfire-173 & Partners LLC
New Bern, North Carolina
Standard 2020-10-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1807R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2020-10-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N260SC Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine N260Sc Partnership Group LLC
Ogden, Utah
Standard 2020-10-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8357P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2020-10-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9187R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Mih LLC
Birmingham, Alabama
Standard 2020-10-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737JS Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Boren Aviation LLC
Knoxville, Tennessee
Standard 2020-09-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5549J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2020-09-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N210KB Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Ianasher LLC
Montgomery, Texas
Standard 2020-09-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1490X Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Twin Peaks Holdings
Midvale, Utah
Standard 2020-09-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15538 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2020-09-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5213Y Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Flying High Again LLC
Mount Juliet, Tennessee
Standard 2020-09-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8527N Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2020-09-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2224W Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Tailwinds Flying Club
Lake Elmo, Minnesota
Standard 2020-09-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9234Z Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Massachusetts
Standard 2020-09-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9436W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Louisiana
Standard 2020-09-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4650P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2020-09-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N199HP Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Tvpx Aircraft Solutions INC Trustee
North Salt Lake, Utah
Standard 2020-09-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737YX Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2020-09-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6277B Aero Commander
500
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2020-09-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8877W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Idaho
Standard 2020-09-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N540SB Clayton Mark H
SKYBOLT
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Mississippi
Experimental 2020-09-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7844P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Troy Watson Consulting INC
Muleshoe, Texas
Standard 2020-09-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9062W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2020-09-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4799P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2020-09-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7365X Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Selectaire LLC
Rcho Sta Marg, California
Standard 2020-09-01 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.