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
N3261W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2018-09-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3389W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine University of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
Standard 2018-09-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3855W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Rcr Aviation LLC
Punta Gorda, Florida
Standard 2018-09-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N695RD Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2018-09-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N963AY Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Stark Truss CO INC
Canton, Ohio
Standard 2018-09-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8750W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2018-09-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6081C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2018-09-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6800P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Brown Farms INC
Central City, Nebraska
Standard 2018-09-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9457W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2018-09-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6891P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2018-09-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6952P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Bretts Flying Service LLC
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Standard 2018-09-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7907P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2018-09-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8269P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2018-09-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4860Y Piper
PA-25-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Aerial Banners INC
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Restricted 2018-09-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N29376 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2018-09-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5548S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2018-09-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7349P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2018-09-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N75CJ Murphy Aircraft Mfg Ltd
SR2500
Fixed-wing, single engine Angels Ten LLC
Norfolk, Virginia
Experimental 2018-09-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8011P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Precision Fab INC
Greenville, Ohio
Special flight permit 2018-08-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8257P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2018-08-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3414W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 2018-08-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N419CC Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Indiana
Standard 2018-08-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N726BB Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2018-08-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N341JC Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2018-08-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9050W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2018-08-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3258W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2018-08-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N782RG Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine L-Bird LLC
Hood River, Oregon
Standard 2018-08-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8382Z Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2018-08-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N873AR Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2018-08-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8863W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2018-08-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N33JM Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Kingdom Air Corps
Sutton, Alaska
Standard 2018-08-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6403P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Ohio
Standard 2018-08-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3951W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Montana
Standard 2018-08-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6495P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Utah
Standard 2018-08-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5151P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2018-08-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9466W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Connecticut
Standard 2018-08-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8041P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2018-08-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9007W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Florida
Standard 2018-08-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N55PB Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Horizon Dreams LLC
Homer, Georgia
Multiple 2018-08-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N32394 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Cherokee Wings LLC
Indialantic, Florida
Standard 2018-08-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5087S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2018-08-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9313W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Djb Aviation LLC
Pompano Beach, Florida
Standard 2018-08-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4928S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2018-07-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8884W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Nevada
Standard 2018-07-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6071P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Jersey
Standard 2018-07-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9383W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2018-07-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7032P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Fast Twin LLC
Angola, Indiana
Standard 2018-07-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N738QV Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 2018-07-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3620C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Snohomish Flying Service INC
Snohomish, Washington
Standard 2018-07-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N65061 Cessna Ector
305A
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2018-07-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7049R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2018-07-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6511P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2018-07-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7439P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2018-07-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8977W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
South Dakota
Standard 2018-07-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3390W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Clear Blue Skies LLC
Saint Paul Park, Minnesota
Standard 2018-07-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7516P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2018-07-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N54474 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Westerfield Aviation LLC
Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Standard 2018-07-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5964P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2018-07-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N236JN Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2018-07-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N949P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2018-06-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5822P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Jstream Lc
Sheridan, Wyoming
Standard 2018-06-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7217P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Utah
Standard 2018-06-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7175P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Louisiana
Standard 2018-06-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N405FD Agusta Spa
F.260D
Fixed-wing, single engine Qualitair LLC Trustee
Michelstadt,
Standard 2018-06-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4693Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2018-06-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8629L Piper
PA-25-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2018-06-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9133W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2018-06-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9155C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine N9155C LLC
Palm Harbor, Florida
Standard 2018-06-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3355W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Bland Joseph G
Gainesville, Texas
Standard 2018-06-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5481P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 2018-06-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N44697 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2018-06-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4912S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arkansas
Standard 2018-06-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6122X Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2018-06-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7212V Intermountain
CALLAIR A-9
Fixed-wing, single engine Air Dakota Flite INC
Hettinger, North Dakota
Restricted 2018-06-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8264H Callair
A-9
Fixed-wing, single engine Air Dakota Flite INC
Hettinger, North Dakota
Restricted 2018-06-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9320W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
West Virginia
Standard 2018-06-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9316W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2018-06-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6306V Helio
H-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2018-06-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2373C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Ds Flight Services LLC
Battle Ground, Washington
Standard 2018-06-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N936BW Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Triple J Aviation LLC
Mcconnelsville, Ohio
Standard 2018-06-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N235ED Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2018-06-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2298T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine T C Rocket LLC
Traverse City, Michigan
Standard 2018-06-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3396W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2018-06-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6839P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2018-05-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9089 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine K&M Land Surveying INC
Lincoln, Nebraska
Standard 2018-05-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8566N Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine N8566N LLC
Briarwood, New York
Standard 2018-05-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9144W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 2018-05-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N330JG Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Cultra LLC
Naples, Florida
Standard 2018-05-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6432P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2018-05-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9450W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Airwide LLC
Deerwood, Minnesota
Standard 2018-05-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N54881 Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Huntsville Soaring Club
Brownsboro, Alabama
Restricted 2018-05-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N738LS Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Kingfisher Assurance LLC
Fort Worth, Texas
Standard 2018-05-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2213M Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Weels Up INC
Pasadena, California
Standard 2018-05-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4318S Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Flite Solutions LLC
Beavercreek, Ohio
Standard 2018-05-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9157E Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2018-05-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9852C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Ryco LLC
Lusk, Wyoming
Standard 2018-05-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6079P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
South Dakota
Standard 2018-05-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5985P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Davis Marc e
Hillsboro, Oregon
Standard 2018-05-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N551AJ Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine So Fine Air LLC
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Standard 2018-05-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N288AB Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Syrasoft Aviation LLC
Baldwinsville, New York
Standard 2018-05-08 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.