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
N932BL Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter S Lynes LLC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2020-08-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N32832 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2020-08-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N182BL Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Maine
Standard 2020-08-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7304T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Galaxy Aviation LLC
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Standard 2020-08-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N419SB Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2020-08-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8060P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2020-08-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8153Y Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Chandelle Flying Club
Austin, Texas
Standard 2020-08-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8302C Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2020-08-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N271SP Cessna
182S
Fixed-wing, single engine Indiana Department of Administration
Greenwood, Indiana
Standard 2020-08-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N80392 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Jersey
Standard 2020-08-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8944P Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 2020-08-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N260BB Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Dutchess Community College Foundation
Poughkeepsie, New York
Standard 2020-08-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N50SW Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine R & O Aviation LLC
Hammon, Oklahoma
Standard 2020-08-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5188Y Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2020-08-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9139W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Amestoy Flyers LLC
Spokane, Washington
Standard 2020-08-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N205SH Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Buzzard Aviation INC
Freer, Texas
Standard 2020-08-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7255Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Central Ms Soaring Society LLC
Brandon, Mississippi
Restricted 2020-08-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9025W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2020-08-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N54100 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Pilot Aeromedical Consulting Services LLC
Freeland, Michigan
Standard 2020-08-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5544T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Jersey
Standard 2020-08-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N808DM Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Mexico
Standard 2020-08-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3547W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2020-08-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7273P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2020-08-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8206P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2020-08-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8768W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Kansas
Standard 2020-08-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9377W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2020-08-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5636N Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Summit Aviation Holdings of Nwa INC
Rogers, Arkansas
Standard 2020-08-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N821DH Cessna
182S
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kentucky
Standard 2020-08-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3756W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2020-08-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7138P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2020-08-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8839W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Karval Fliers LLC
Karval, Colorado
Standard 2020-08-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1SR Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2020-08-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3402W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Cw Baker Investments LLC
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Standard 2020-08-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7822P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine True Airspeed Aviation LLC
Albany, Georgia
Standard 2020-08-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N35BH Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Skylane Ventures LLC
Charlotte, North Carolina
Standard 2020-08-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6793P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Mitchell Flying Service LLC
Cushing, Oklahoma
Standard 2020-08-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8349R Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Csi Flight Services LLC
Mcminnville, Oregon
Experimental 2020-08-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N213TJ Newsome Timothy S
BEARHAWK
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Experimental 2020-08-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4750P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2020-07-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N51635 Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Alaska
Standard 2020-07-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6203P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2020-07-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8534N Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2020-07-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8106M Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine West Houston Aviation LLC
Houston, Texas
Standard 2020-07-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3458W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Mississippi
Standard 2020-07-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56304 Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2020-07-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8240E Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Simplelife Skys LLC
Van Buren, Arkansas
Standard 2020-07-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N543RR Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2020-07-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7271V Aero Commander
CALLAIR A-9
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wyoming
Restricted 2020-07-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8151P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine 63 Comanche LLC
Las Vegas, Nevada
Standard 2020-07-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5825P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2020-07-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56131 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Qualitair LLC Trustee
Michelstadt,
Standard 2020-07-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9169W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 2020-07-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7985P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kansas
Standard 2020-07-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N29AH Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Riseaero LLC
Florence, South Carolina
Standard 2020-07-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N510RV Palmenteri Louis J
PALMENTERI 2
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Experimental 2020-07-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6914A Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Flyn 6914 Alpha LLC
Oak Island, North Carolina
Standard 2020-07-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9861C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Georgia
Standard 2020-07-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N425CH Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Keeton Farms LLC
Monticello, Kentucky
Standard 2020-07-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6517P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2020-07-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4761S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2020-06-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9301W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2020-06-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756PB Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Qas Mile High LLC
Los Gatos, California
Standard 2020-06-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7372P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2020-06-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2139B Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine N2139B LLC
Newark, Delaware
Standard 2020-06-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5986V Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Lampin Aviation LLC
Brielle, New Jersey
Standard 2020-06-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6205T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Kansas
Standard 2020-06-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N82829 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Wingin It 13 LLC
Middletown, New York
Standard 2020-06-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5778P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Hunton Hugh R II
Midlothian, Texas
Standard 2020-06-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7532Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Idaho
Restricted 2020-06-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8038P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nebraska
Standard 2020-06-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N915HP Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
District of Columbia
Standard 2020-06-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N777BB Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Standard 2020-06-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9200C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2020-06-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5018Y Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Highland Rim Aviation LLC
Springfield, Tennessee
Standard 2020-06-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6968P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Foos LLC
Vancouver, Washington
Standard 2020-06-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5309P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Montana
Standard 2020-06-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756EZ Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Bear Branch Hedeen LLC
Meridian, Idaho
Standard 2020-06-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2222Z Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kansas
Standard 2020-06-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3432W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Nunak Air Taxi LLC
Kenai, Alaska
Standard 2020-06-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N164JM Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Wind Sand & Stars Aviation LLC
San Diego, California
Standard 2020-05-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N713MT Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Hampshire
Standard 2020-05-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6706P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Massachusetts
Standard 2020-05-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8298M Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Tech Site Air LLC
Plain City, Ohio
Standard 2020-05-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N136DC Conover Don
GLASAIR
Fixed-wing, single engine Streamline Aviation LLC
Battlefield, Missouri
Experimental 2020-05-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7764Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine United Aerial Advertising of Delaware INC
Sparta, New Jersey
Restricted 2020-05-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6652P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Montana
Standard 2020-05-18 Reports overdueFAA registration status code N: Non-citizen corporation that has not returned its flight-hour reports. All codes
N7210P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2020-05-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7545P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2020-05-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5036R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Arctic Winds INC
King Salmon, Alaska
Standard 2020-05-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2384R Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2020-05-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N59RH Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2020-05-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N777RL Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Landau Management Services INC
Toranga, California
Standard 2020-05-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N40JS Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Air Flight Enterprises INC
South Daytona, Florida
Standard 2020-05-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6287T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Cape Phoenix LLC
East Falmouth, Massachusetts
Standard 2020-05-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8506W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2020-05-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N235RG Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2020-05-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2177Z Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine W L Barefoot LLC
Four Oaks, North Carolina
Standard 2020-05-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7560P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Flying Warriors LLC
Kearney, Nebraska
Standard 2020-05-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7996P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Fredrick Bruce T
Barrigada, Guam
Standard 2020-05-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8401V Aero Commander
CALLAIR A-9
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Restricted 2020-05-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
Previous Page 24 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.