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
N2211E Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2018-05-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N433X Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nebraska
Standard 2018-05-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5503P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Core Tech Services and Supply LLC
Odessa, Florida
Standard 2018-05-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7036Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2018-04-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5220Y Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Co-owned owner
Florida
Standard 2018-04-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4177E Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Aerial Banners North INC
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Restricted 2018-04-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N51FR Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2018-04-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2627C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine C and T Aviation LLC
Shreveport, Louisiana
Standard 2018-04-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3695C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2018-04-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8124M Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2018-04-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N255Z Terry Allen Small
AVIPRO BEARHAWK 4 PL
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Utah
Experimental 2018-04-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7123P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2018-04-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7607W Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Zero Seven Whiskey LLC
Dewey, Oklahoma
Standard 2018-04-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6520P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 2018-04-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N27MR Britten-Norman
BN2A-26 ISLANDER
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Redemption INC DBA
Kodiak, Alaska
Standard 2018-04-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3539W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2018-04-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7785Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Aerial Banners INC
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Restricted 2018-04-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8140P Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2018-04-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N555FP Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Rotorpro LLC
Sevierville, Tennessee
Standard 2018-04-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N43796 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Tpa LLC
Augusta, Georgia
Standard 2018-03-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4833P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Pacifica LLC
Grand Junction, Colorado
Standard 2018-03-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2249P Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Jrp Holdings LLC
Highland, California
Standard 2018-03-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N52AJ Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Alaska
Standard 2018-03-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7357P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Georgia
Standard 2018-03-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N73622 Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2018-03-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2206B Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Volare Aviation LLC
Livingston, New Jersey
Standard 2018-03-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8846W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Florida
Standard 2018-03-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9281E Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2018-03-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N342RA S.O.C.A.T.A.
RALLYE 235E
Fixed-wing, single engine Heartland Aviation LLC
Harrisonville, Missouri
Standard 2018-03-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N267S Aero Commander
CALLAIR A-9
Fixed-wing, single engine North Carolina Soaring Association
Zebulon, North Carolina
Restricted 2018-03-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6504S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2018-03-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N516JP Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Franjojo Airways LLC
Farmingdale, New York
Standard 2018-03-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4777S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine N4777S LLC
Ault, Colorado
Standard 2018-03-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6184P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2018-02-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2178Z Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2018-02-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4496Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Idaho
Restricted 2018-02-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N958SB Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Victor Foxtrot LLC
Scott City, Kansas
Standard 2018-02-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N16377 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Montana
Standard 2018-02-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5253E Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2018-02-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2955R Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Louisiana
Standard 2018-02-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7250P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2018-02-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N788WT Maule
M-7-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2018-02-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6042E Commander Aircraft Co
114TC
Fixed-wing, single engine Paraken Properties LLC
Palm City, Florida
Standard 2018-02-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6476P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Sky Runner Aviation LLC
Wadsworth, Ohio
Standard 2018-02-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7287Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Quality Aviation INC
Marana, Arizona
Restricted 2018-02-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3326W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Sair LLC
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Standard 2018-02-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2102Y Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2018-01-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3627C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2018-01-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8798W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2018-01-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6251P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arkansas
Standard 2018-01-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9925H Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Scientific Aerial Imaging INC
Saint Helena, California
Standard 2018-01-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9448W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2018-01-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4460Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Quality Aviation INC
Marana, Arizona
Restricted 2018-01-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N63BD Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2018-01-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N424BY Piper
PA-25-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Skyline Soaring Club INC
Front Royal, Virginia
Standard 2018-01-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N236PM Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2018-01-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N260GP Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Js Doig Restoration LLC
Varnville, South Carolina
Standard 2018-01-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5311S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2018-01-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N143TB Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2018-01-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8539N Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2018-01-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6101P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2018-01-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6465T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Hurricane CORP
New York, New York
None on file 2018-01-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4741S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Washington
Standard 2018-01-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8550W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2018-01-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8678W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kentucky
Standard 2018-01-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3501W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Nebraska
Standard 2018-01-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7321P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Tappan East LLC
New Philadelphia, Ohio
Standard 2018-01-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8551L Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Quality Avition INC
Marana, Arizona
Multiple 2018-01-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3354W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Florida
Standard 2018-01-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N747WD Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2018-01-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8147P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2018-01-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N83RL Lantrip Robert A
BARRACUDA
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Mexico
Experimental 2018-01-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N75117 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Av8 LLC
Sandy, Utah
Standard 2017-12-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7086L Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter N43926 LLC
Dandridge, Tennessee
Standard 2017-12-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N877SM Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2017-12-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4575P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Wings Management CO LLC
Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Standard 2017-12-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6225M Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2017-12-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8641P Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine N8641P LLC
Gainesville, Georgia
Standard 2017-12-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4895S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2017-12-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N642SW Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Edgar Thomas L
Flagstaff, Arizona
Standard 2017-12-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N87RP Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2017-12-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8935W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Idaho
Standard 2017-12-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1002H Maule
M-7-235B
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2017-12-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N522TJ Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2017-12-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5440P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2017-12-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9099W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Flying Monkeys LLC
Boulder City, Nevada
Standard 2017-12-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7390P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2017-12-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7112P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2017-11-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N44CA Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Wiley Commercial Property Consulting INC
Aitkin, Minnesota
Standard 2017-11-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N427RA Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2017-11-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8031P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Montana
Standard 2017-11-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3359W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2017-11-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4838S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Dairy Air LLC
Lake Jackson, Texas
Standard 2017-11-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5582Y Fisher Carl R Jr
STEEN SKYBOLT
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Experimental 2017-11-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7422Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Farm Air INC
Astoria, Illinois
Restricted 2017-11-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N602DT Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Follow Your Bliss LLC
Woodbury, Minnesota
Standard 2017-11-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8805J Piper
PA-28-180
Fixed-wing, single engine 8805 Partners LLC
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Standard 2017-11-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6308D Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2017-11-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6332T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine 32 Tango Aviation LLC
Beaverton, Oregon
Standard 2017-11-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2956A Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2017-11-02 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.