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
N56231 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 2016-11-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N58CC Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Pittsburgh Marine Technologies
Eighty Four, Pennsylvania
Standard 2016-11-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N644 Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Wine Street Aviation LLC
Livermore, California
Standard 2016-11-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8934W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2016-11-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8525N Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2016-11-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6453P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
North Dakota
Standard 2016-11-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736WH Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine B&B Island Aviation LLC
Sylvania, Ohio
Standard 2016-11-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2955T Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Five Five Tango LLC
Rockford, Illinois
Standard 2016-11-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9269C Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Florida
Standard 2016-11-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N16332 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2016-10-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N382X Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2016-10-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N515BB Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Quad B Flying LLC
Mitchellville, Iowa
Standard 2016-10-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6794Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2016-10-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9401L Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Austin Aviators Flight Club
Austin, Texas
Standard 2016-10-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8155P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2016-10-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2180K Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Road Runner Flying Club INC
Radcliffe, Iowa
Standard 2016-10-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5386Y Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2016-10-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8580N Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine A1 Aviation LLC
Lewis, Delaware
Standard 2016-10-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6187P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oregon
Standard 2016-10-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6122S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Business Jet Managers INC
Canton, Michigan
Standard 2016-10-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7092Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Hollister Soaring Center LLC
Hollister, California
Restricted 2016-10-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8505W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
New York
Standard 2016-10-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6379P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2016-10-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8614P Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2016-10-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N69RR Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine International Air Services INC Trustee
Carson City, Nevada
Standard 2016-10-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3520W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2016-10-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N95T Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2016-10-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1698R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2016-10-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9142C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Indiana Aviation INC
Nicktown, Pennsylvania
Standard 2016-10-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7625P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Vfr2Imc LLC
Elko, Nevada
Standard 2016-09-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8782W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nebraska
Standard 2016-09-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N246TF Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Kansas
Standard 2016-09-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6862P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2016-09-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3666C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2016-09-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8283B Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2016-09-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737LT Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Louisiana
Standard 2016-09-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15200 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2016-09-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1777A Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Utah
Standard 2016-09-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8235P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2016-09-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9642P Piper
PA-25-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Southern California Soaring Academy INC
Valencia, California
Standard 2016-09-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2379C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine West Country Aviation INC Trustee
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2016-09-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9494W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
New Mexico
Standard 2016-09-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8618L Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Restricted 2016-08-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5374P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2016-08-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3757W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2016-08-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736MJ Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Clover Park Technical College
Lakewood, Washington
Restricted 2016-08-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8048P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Coastal Virginia Aviation LLC
Chesapeake, Virginia
Standard 2016-08-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N183AS Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Corporate Helicopter Leasing
Dallas, Texas
Standard 2016-08-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N64027 Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2016-08-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7162R Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Pollux Aviation LTD
Wasilla, Alaska
Standard 2016-08-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9071W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Louisiana
Standard 2016-08-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3649W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Turbo Six LLC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2016-08-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N503ET Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Ohio
Standard 2016-08-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N35370 Cessna
T182T
Fixed-wing, single engine Dans Land LLC
North Little Rock, Arkansas
Standard 2016-08-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4920P Piper
PA-23-235
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2016-08-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9157C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Aims Community College
Greeley, Colorado
Standard 2016-08-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756RA Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine San Diego Skylane LLC
San Diego, California
Standard 2016-08-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N757PU Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Avs Aviation LLC
Williamsburg, Virginia
Standard 2016-07-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8524N Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Et Aviation LLC
Cambria, California
Standard 2016-07-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8545N Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2016-07-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4841S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Puerto Rico Aircraft Leasing CORP
Ceiba, Puerto Rico
Standard 2016-07-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5978P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2016-07-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N32089 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Iowa
Standard 2016-07-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8414V Aero Commander
CALLAIR A-9A
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Restricted 2016-07-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9338R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2016-07-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7507X Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Ghgk LLC
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Standard 2016-07-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2941B Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2016-07-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6269T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine N6269T
Lampe, Missouri
Standard 2016-07-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6319T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Sunland Aviation LLC
Swansboro, North Carolina
Standard 2016-07-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7487Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Truckee Tahoe Soaring Assoc
Truckee, California
Restricted 2016-07-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736UD Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Seven Ranges Mfg CORP
Carrollton, Ohio
Standard 2016-07-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8644W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2016-07-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7743P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2016-07-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8333Z Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Mbaa Holding LLC
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Standard 2016-07-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N88KF Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Alaska
Standard 2016-06-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N402X Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Weyrauch Paul H
Ray, North Dakota
Standard 2016-06-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N44HG Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Higher Ground Helicopters of Cincinnati LLC
Miamisburg, Ohio
Standard 2016-06-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4814Y Piper
PA-25-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2016-06-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N505BJ Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2016-06-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5429P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Sky West Aviation INC Trustee
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Standard 2016-06-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9234W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2016-06-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7192B Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Astroone LLC
Culpeper, Virginia
Standard 2016-06-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1751R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine B&E Flying LLC
Morse Bluff, Nebraska
Standard 2016-06-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N55032 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2016-06-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8822P Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2016-06-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2093X Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Mexico
Standard 2016-06-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2944V Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2016-06-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7980P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2016-06-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6056C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Flight Contract Services INC
Las Vegas, Nevada
Standard 2016-05-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6689P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2016-05-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7821P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Tucker Engineering Associates INC
Locust, North Carolina
Standard 2016-05-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7957P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2016-05-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1489T Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Lion Aviation LLC
Kansas City, Missouri
Standard 2016-05-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15961 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Kings Wings
Jupiter, Florida
Standard 2016-05-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3569W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2016-05-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N82808 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2016-05-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N222PF Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2016-05-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N757XD Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine South Texas War Birds LLC
Santa Fe, Texas
Standard 2016-05-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5864V Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2016-05-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8557P Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Quaal Ranch INC
Sundance, Wyoming
Standard 2016-05-04 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.