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
N623CC Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Minnesota
Standard 2017-11-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N808MW Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine My Wings LLC
Senoia, Georgia
Standard 2017-10-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9433W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2017-10-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8369P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2017-10-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6226P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2017-10-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7290V Aero Commander
CALLAIR A-9
Fixed-wing, single engine Christen Aviation LLC
Pawnee City, Nebraska
Restricted 2017-10-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8045P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2017-10-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736RA Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Kansas
Standard 2017-10-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737PF Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine N737Jj Aviation INC
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
Standard 2017-10-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4828S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Puerto Rico Aircraft Leasing CORP
Ceiba, Puerto Rico
Standard 2017-10-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5167P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Southeast Airways LLC
Gainesville, Georgia
Standard 2017-10-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5545J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2017-10-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2107V Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2017-10-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N235CM Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2017-10-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N272EC Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2017-10-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5977P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Air-2-Eds LLC
Mesa, Arizona
Standard 2017-10-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N400BT Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine N Ranch LLC
Missoula, Montana
Standard 2017-10-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4558P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Aviation Services of Tn INC
Dover, Delaware
Standard 2017-10-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15537 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine J & J Aviation LLC
Thedford, Nebraska
Standard 2017-09-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N563UM Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Connecticut
Standard 2017-09-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6866P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Oregon
Standard 2017-09-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N326DP Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2017-09-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3440W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Good Earth Farms INC
Hastings, Nebraska
Standard 2017-09-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3421Y Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Marshall Air LLC
Paso Robles, California
Standard 2017-09-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8353H Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2017-09-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5273T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Hampshire
Standard 2017-09-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N55441 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Airide Enterprise LLC
Dixon, Missouri
Standard 2017-09-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N291SG Socata
TB-20 TRINIDAD
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Virginia
Standard 2017-08-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4404P Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Zipporah LLC
Everett, Washington
Standard 2017-08-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2182S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2017-08-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N19JZ Ford Frederick C
RV-10
Fixed-wing, single engine Dougrace LLC
Wilmington, Delaware
Experimental 2017-08-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N555GM Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2017-08-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2172M Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 2017-08-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N33LH Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Mississippi
Standard 2017-08-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8237P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2017-08-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8239V Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Mitten Adventures LLC
West Bloomfield, Michigan
Standard 2017-08-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N161P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2017-08-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N533T Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Riser LLC
Wimberley, Texas
Standard 2017-08-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756QK Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2017-08-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2829U Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Rc Dakota Aviation LLC
Denville, New Jersey
Standard 2017-08-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4966S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Monkey Butler LLC
Pacifica, California
Standard 2017-08-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N727TC Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Sandpiper Air LLC
Dickinson, Texas
Standard 2017-08-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2144N Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Idaho
Standard 2017-08-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N999FT Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Louisiana
Standard 2017-08-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5141P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine West Texas Weather Modification Association
San Angelo, Texas
Multiple 2017-08-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2167K Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2017-08-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5450E Helio
H-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Oregon
Standard 2017-08-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6582U Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2017-08-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7429P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2017-08-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8144W Piper
PA-28-180
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Nevada
Standard 2017-08-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5486S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Plane Fun INC Tr Trustee
Snellville, Georgia
Standard 2017-08-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5211P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2017-08-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8390P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2017-08-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N354PC Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2017-08-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8985W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2017-08-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9984C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2017-07-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3450W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Rst Aviation LLC
Vero Beach, Florida
Standard 2017-07-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6397P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2017-07-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N224SM Leder John A
LEDER VELOCITY XL RG
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Experimental 2017-07-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5216Y Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Gv Air INC
Medford, Oregon
Standard 2017-07-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8861W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2017-07-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4699P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Gv Air INC
Medford, Oregon
Standard 2017-07-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N97LR Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arkansas
Standard 2017-07-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5241T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2017-07-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7319X Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Hays Software Development LLC
Timnath, Colorado
Standard 2017-07-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7516Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Truckee Tahoe Soaring Assoc
Truckee, California
Restricted 2017-07-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7712P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2017-07-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6615N Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Texas Skyways Research & Development
Boerne, Texas
Standard 2017-07-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N235TT Maule
M-7-235B
Fixed-wing, single engine Wild Country Aircraft LLC
Montrose, Colorado
Standard 2017-06-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9185W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Fixed Gear Aviation LLC
Eldersburg, Maryland
Standard 2017-06-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5142P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Britz Store Equipment INC
Buckman, Minnesota
Standard 2017-06-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6969P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2017-06-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8779W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Alaska
Standard 2017-06-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7920P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine M & K Zeiler Aircraft LLC
Lawrence, Kansas
Standard 2017-06-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5644N Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Terrane Exploration & Reconnaissance CO LLC
Chandler, Arizona
Standard 2017-06-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N62052 Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Idaho
Standard 2017-06-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7333Y Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Massachusetts
Standard 2017-06-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9439W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Cherokee LTD LLC
Mesa, Arizona
Standard 2017-06-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3867W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine N3867W LLC
Clemson, South Carolina
Standard 2017-05-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3651C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Hately William
Anchorage, Alaska
Standard 2017-05-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5330P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Oregon
Standard 2017-05-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6052P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine On Site Aviation INC
Hillsboro, North Dakota
Standard 2017-05-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3692W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2017-05-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7311S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Dayton Pilots Club INC
Germantown, Ohio
Standard 2017-05-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2653T Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Valley Aircraft Restoration Society INC
Phoenix, Arizona
Standard 2017-05-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6477T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2017-05-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N767JG Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Kd Aviation LLC
Warner Robins, Georgia
Standard 2017-05-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2111C Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Key City Fliers
Maquoketa, Iowa
Standard 2017-05-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2251T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2017-05-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N526MM Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2017-05-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7247P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maine
Standard 2017-05-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6040P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2017-05-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N77DD Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2017-05-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N244CG Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Eagle Sport Aviation Club INC
De Leon Springs, Florida
Standard 2017-05-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3779W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Airmotive Service LLC
Brigham City, Utah
Standard 2017-05-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4843P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 2017-05-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5802P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oregon
Standard 2017-05-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4981P Piper
PA-23-235
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Tri State Aero INC
Martinsburg, West Virginia
Standard 2017-05-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7238V Intermountain
CALLAIR A-9
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2017-05-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5153P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Cjl Aviation LLC
Dover, Delaware
Standard 2017-05-02 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.