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
N3721W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2019-12-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5629P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Tennessee
Standard 2019-12-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4797S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2019-12-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5278P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2019-12-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3751W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2019-12-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3621C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Airplane 1 LLC
Warren, New Hampshire
Standard 2019-12-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6128P Maule
M-7-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Tango Alpha Sierra LLC
Berthoud, Colorado
Standard 2019-12-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N26DC Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Ace Aviation LLC
Reading, Vermont
Standard 2019-12-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9179W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2019-12-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756WA Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Standard 2019-11-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4827S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2019-11-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8560L Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2019-11-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N739JG Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Lfw Investments LLC
Hillsborough, North Carolina
Standard 2019-11-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N925Z Maule
M-7-235B
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 2019-11-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4704P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Oregon
Standard 2019-11-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N673DT Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Air Henry LLC
Carthage, Missouri
Standard 2019-11-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N696DY Maule
M-7-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Inline Developers LLC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2019-11-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7700J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2019-11-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756JS Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Redline Engineering INC
Greenwood, California
Standard 2019-11-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9134W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2019-11-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N54914 Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Csa Foundation INC
Wellington, Colorado
Standard 2019-11-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9397W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine FAA Flying Club INC
Springfield, Virginia
Standard 2019-11-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N901JG Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Westland Aviation LLC
Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Standard 2019-11-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N725YP Maule
M-7-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2019-11-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7350R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Scenic Concepts LLC
La Crosse, Wisconsin
Standard 2019-11-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7919P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2019-10-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N57346 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Maryland
Standard 2019-10-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7181P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kansas
Standard 2019-10-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7487P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2019-10-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9194W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Jersey
Standard 2019-10-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N16DP Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Ndmi INC
Greeneville, Tennessee
Standard 2019-10-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6488P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Sooner Answer Service INC
Edmond, Oklahoma
Standard 2019-10-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7486P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2019-10-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8871W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Mississippi
Standard 2019-10-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5638L Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine 180 Adventures INC
Elverson, Pennsylvania
Standard 2019-10-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15999 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wyoming
Standard 2019-10-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15666 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Nevada
Standard 2019-10-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6302P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2019-10-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8051B Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2019-10-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3013N Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2019-10-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N44DZ Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Wanted Poster Owners Group LLC
York, Pennsylvania
Standard 2019-10-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5088M Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine General Aviation Partners LLC
Madison, Alabama
Standard 2019-09-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8952C Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
North Carolina
Standard 2019-09-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5154T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Catalpa Lane Aviation LLC
Raymond, Ohio
Standard 2019-09-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7364R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Central Shop LLC
Shadyside, Ohio
Standard 2019-09-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5382P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2019-09-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756EB Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Tak Holdings LLC
Pleasant View, Tennessee
Standard 2019-09-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2374C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2019-09-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7848P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Jads Airplane Club LLC
Boyne City, Michigan
Standard 2019-09-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N321Q Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Pelco Aviation INC
Hampton Bays, New York
Standard 2019-09-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5461S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2019-09-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5575J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 2019-09-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5720P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2019-09-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N182CW Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2019-09-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N388X Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Restricted 2019-09-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9112C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Ck Jet LLC
Hillsboro, Missouri
Standard 2019-09-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3760W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 2019-09-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4800P Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Fun Country Soaring
Avon Lake, Ohio
Restricted 2019-09-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8949W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2019-09-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5970P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2019-09-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N98GP Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Mississippi
Standard 2019-09-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4776T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine High Planes Air Service
Bismarck, North Dakota
Standard 2019-08-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N270A Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Tsg Associates LLC
Stanley, North Carolina
Standard 2019-08-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15277 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Flying Broom LLC
Prescott Valley, Arizona
Standard 2019-08-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8339G Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2019-08-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N39500 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Steen Farms LLC
Newhebron, Mississippi
Standard 2019-08-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9447W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 2019-08-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N235AZ Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2019-08-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N589VW Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2019-08-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7565P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2019-08-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3192C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2019-08-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N577BA Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Spitzer Helicopter LLC
Woodland Hills, California
Standard 2019-08-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2964D Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2019-08-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9051W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Indiana
Standard 2019-08-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N412KJ Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2019-08-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N324TS Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Des Moines Flying Club LLC
Indianola, Iowa
Standard 2019-08-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N64PC Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2019-08-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8361M Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Jetcopters LLC
Lewes, Delaware
Standard 2019-08-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8516N Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2019-08-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N240RG Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine 182Rg LLC
Bellevue, Washington
Standard 2019-08-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9021W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Hage Electric and Construction Services INC
The Dalles, Oregon
Standard 2019-08-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7189Z Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Smd Vineyards INC
Salinas, California
Standard 2019-08-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737NY Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2019-08-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3370W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2019-08-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7220P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2019-08-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N867DC Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Air Enterprises LLC
Dover, Delaware
Standard 2019-08-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N738ZB Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2019-07-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8443P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Washington
Standard 2019-07-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N235F Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2019-07-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N338SS Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2019-07-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3988W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2019-07-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5423P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2019-07-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8813W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2019-07-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N141DD Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Cox Aviation Services LLC
Acworth, Georgia
Standard 2019-07-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N34SW Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2019-07-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7260P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Virginia
Standard 2019-07-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N222HL Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Double K Flying LLC
Scottsboro, Alabama
Standard 2019-07-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5478P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 2019-07-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8544W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2019-07-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3224C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Colorado
Standard 2019-07-15 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.