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
N6500D Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Aztec Adventures LLC
Cape Coral, Florida
Standard 2017-05-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4780Y Piper
PA-25-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Philadelphia Glider Council
Hilltown, Pennsylvania
Restricted 2017-04-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8627P Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine
Standard 2017-04-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3494W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2017-04-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7900P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Goco Wireless INC
Goliad, Texas
Standard 2017-04-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7224M Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Affordable Construction Services INC
Humboldt, Tennessee
Standard 2017-04-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9066E Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2017-04-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N375JT Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine D2 Aviation LLC
Chesterfield, Missouri
Standard 2017-04-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4987P Piper
PA-23-235
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Region Flyers LLC
Valparaiso, Indiana
Standard 2017-04-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N11151 Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Kowest Aviation LLC
Enid, Oklahoma
Standard 2017-04-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6882P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nebraska
Standard 2017-04-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2183M Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oregon
Standard 2017-04-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N315SG Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2017-04-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3595W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2017-04-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6386T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Paul Taylor Consulting LLC
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Standard 2017-04-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6774P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Ww LLC
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Standard 2017-03-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6912P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2017-03-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3388W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Texas Wings LLC
San Antonio, Texas
Standard 2017-03-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N705R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Statewide Contract Services LLC
Lowell, Oregon
Multiple 2017-03-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6260P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2017-03-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7719J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
U.S. Virgin Islands
Standard 2017-03-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9221W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2017-03-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4550Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Restricted 2017-03-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4583X Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2017-03-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4955P Piper
PA-23-235
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2017-03-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N777ZZ Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2017-03-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8117S Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2017-03-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9440W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2017-03-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N422GJ Collins K G/Jackson J D
MURPHY SUPER REBEL
Fixed-wing, single engine Back Country Aviation LLC
Kikiski, Alaska
Experimental 2017-03-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6639P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Georgia
Standard 2017-03-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7797Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Restricted 2017-03-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6045P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2017-03-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9225W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2017-03-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N738AB Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2017-03-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9879P Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2017-02-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N244JB Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2017-02-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N71888 Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 2017-02-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5315P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Chrystal Bluebird LLC
Valley Center, Kansas
Standard 2017-02-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N64EE Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2017-02-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4886S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine W & K Enterprise LLC
Lewisville, Texas
Standard 2017-02-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N606NT Britten-Norman
BN-2A-8
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Gimli Son LLC
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Standard 2017-02-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8605L Piper
PA-25-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Restricted 2017-02-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4482Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Restricted 2017-02-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5317Y Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2017-02-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5827P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Two Seven Papa LLC
Pueblo, Colorado
Standard 2017-02-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7875P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine 3 Commanches Aviation LLC
Williamston, South Carolina
Standard 2017-02-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3637W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2017-02-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N444VH Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Mf Helicopters LLC
East Troy, Wisconsin
Multiple 2017-02-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4617S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 2017-02-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9171C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
New Hampshire
Standard 2017-02-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756WW Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2017-01-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3221W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2017-01-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5633L Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2017-01-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N75242 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine M&M Air LLC
Watkinsville, Georgia
Standard 2017-01-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3403W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Schendel Daryl R
Barstow, California
Standard 2017-01-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3943W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Cox Aviation LLC
Debord, Kentucky
Standard 2017-01-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8319S Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Illinois
Standard 2017-01-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4865S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
North Carolina
Standard 2017-01-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5257S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Kansas
Standard 2017-01-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9373W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Bar Aviation LLC
Cochranville, Pennsylvania
Standard 2017-01-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8994W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kansas
Standard 2017-01-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4894T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Bar Aviation LLC
Madison, Alabama
Standard 2017-01-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6391S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2017-01-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6141T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2017-01-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N61VA Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2017-01-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9207W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Ainakea Aviation LLC
Washoe Valley, Nevada
Standard 2017-01-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7532P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2017-01-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4729S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2017-01-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6239M Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Alaska
Standard 2017-01-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N105AA Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2016-12-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5512J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2016-12-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7150P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Kentucky
Standard 2016-12-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N41AE Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Idaho
Standard 2016-12-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736XG Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2016-12-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9809P Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Mit Soaring Association INC
Sterling, Massachusetts
Restricted 2016-12-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2225T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2016-12-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N182MJ Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2016-12-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N33324 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Central Nebraska Spinal Surgery Center PC
Kearney, Nebraska
Standard 2016-12-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N739BS Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2016-12-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4311W Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2016-12-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15383 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Michigan
Standard 2016-12-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8680P Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine K & A Holdings LLC
Ashland, Nebraska
Standard 2016-12-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2833C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oregon
Standard 2016-12-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7593P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2016-12-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N256SA Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Airview INC
Ligonier, Pennsylvania
Standard 2016-12-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6318T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2016-12-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N362BC Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Wing Nutz LLC
Redondo Beach, California
Standard 2016-12-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6780P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Michigan Sky LLC
Lowell, Michigan
Standard 2016-11-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8520N Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2016-11-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8964W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine 3720 To 1 INC
Greenwood Village, Colorado
Standard 2016-11-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8270P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Kraemer and CO Mfg INC
Orland, California
Standard 2016-11-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736NJ Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2016-11-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8819W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Bowen Donald M
Wasco, Oregon
Standard 2016-11-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15707 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Delaware
Standard 2016-11-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N26AE Siai-Marchetti
SF.260B
Fixed-wing, single engine Swallows INC
San Jose, California
Standard 2016-11-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756GZ Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oregon
Standard 2016-11-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15JE Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Premier Flight Center LLC
Hartford, Connecticut
Standard 2016-11-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7690F Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 2016-11-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N182FB Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Downwind Abeam INC
Pasadena, California
Standard 2016-11-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56277 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2016-11-08 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.