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
N924PL Williamson Jay S
BEARHAWK
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Experimental 2016-04-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5616P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2016-04-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7330Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Restricted 2016-04-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4980P Piper
PA-23-235
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2016-04-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9260W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Flo-Co2
Gardendale, Texas
Standard 2016-04-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8247P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2016-04-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15265 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine M & P Aviation LLC
Franksville, Wisconsin
Standard 2016-04-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5317T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Oregon
Standard 2016-03-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737JT Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2016-03-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5632R Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine International Air Services INC Trustee
Carson City, Nevada
Standard 2016-03-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6692Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Cavanaugh Flying Service INC
Minden, Nebraska
Restricted 2016-03-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736ZN Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2016-03-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N28JW Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Montana
Standard 2016-03-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2260T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Ortner Airport LLC
Wakeman, Ohio
Standard 2016-03-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N757WB Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2016-03-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5670D Maule
M-7-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Mexico
Standard 2016-03-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2960R Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Varun 2016 LLC
Florence, South Carolina
Standard 2016-03-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7367Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Aerial Banners North INC
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Restricted 2016-03-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4685T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Massachusetts
Standard 2016-03-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4350U Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2016-02-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N99JL Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Minnesota
Standard 2016-02-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756JL Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine N756Jl LLC
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Standard 2016-02-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N101DH Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2016-02-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N51SW Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Delaware Valley Aviation INC
Langhorne, Pennsylvania
Standard 2016-02-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9386R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2016-02-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3971R Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2016-02-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8542W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2016-02-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9157W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2016-02-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8656P Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arkansas
Standard 2016-01-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9967C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Joemac Business Services LLC
Casper, Wyoming
Standard 2016-01-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9330W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
New Mexico
Standard 2016-01-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N334CC Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2016-01-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737VX Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine L&G Aviation LLC
Fresno, California
Standard 2016-01-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N41296 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2016-01-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2225Z Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Massachusetts
Standard 2016-01-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7404P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Nebraska
Standard 2016-01-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N27TG Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2016-01-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8274P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Rhode Island
Standard 2016-01-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4314V Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2016-01-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7978C Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Halo Aviation LLC
Agoura Hills, California
Standard 2016-01-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8251P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2016-01-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9214W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 2016-01-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9209W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2015-12-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9269W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Himmel Air LLC
Itasca, Illinois
Standard 2015-12-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2235C Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kentucky
Standard 2015-12-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3075N Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Incessant Air LLC
Vestavia, Alabama
Standard 2015-12-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N25055 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Dakota N25055 LLC
Irvine, California
Standard 2015-12-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6391P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Comanche Flyer LLC
Saint Louis, Missouri
Standard 2015-12-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5182P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2015-12-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8247V Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2015-12-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8511N Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Jersey
Standard 2015-12-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8338P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Herndon Properties LLC
Walterboro, South Carolina
Standard 2015-12-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8384P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2015-12-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4986P Piper
PA-23-235
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Lms Aviation LLC
Omaha, Nebraska
Standard 2015-11-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N224K Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Jam Three LLC
St George, Utah
Standard 2015-11-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8653W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Michigan
Standard 2015-11-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N250SB Wilson Scott B
SKYBOLT
Fixed-wing, single engine International Air Services INC Trustee
Carson City, Nevada
Experimental 2015-11-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3602W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 2015-11-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8293R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Panterra Aviation LLC
Mountain Green, Utah
Standard 2015-11-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1664R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine State of Montana
Helena, Montana
Standard 2015-11-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2205F Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2015-10-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N841AK Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Old City Helicopter Sales LLC
Saint Augustine, Florida
Standard 2015-10-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3217W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Connecticut
Standard 2015-10-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N441EK Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Skf Holdings LLC
Breckenridge, Texas
Standard 2015-10-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5960P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2015-10-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N110LF Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Comanche Flyer Foundation INC
Blaine, Washington
Standard 2015-10-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7047P Piper
PA-24
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
West Virginia
Standard 2015-10-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9106C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Upper Valley Flying Club INC
White Riv Jct, Vermont
Standard 2015-10-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8133P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Alabama
Standard 2015-10-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7756P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine 56Pop LLC
Fremont, Ohio
Standard 2015-10-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5290P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2015-10-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736RQ Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2015-10-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7133E Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Air Assault Agricultural Aviation LLC
New Castle, Virginia
Standard 2015-10-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8438E Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2015-09-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6087P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Washington
Standard 2015-09-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7485P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine E R V Air LLC
Jacksonville, Florida
Standard 2015-09-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737YK Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2015-09-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8594W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Alpha Berachah Omega LLC
Sanibel, Florida
Standard 2015-09-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9QB Eskildsen
STEEN SKYBOLT
Fixed-wing, single engine Northern Aviation LLC
Palmer, Alaska
Experimental 2015-09-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3427W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Hurricane Air LLC
Fremont, Ohio
Standard 2015-09-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3754W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Ham Aviation LLC
Maysville, Kentucky
Standard 2015-09-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N233MG Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Fly Safe LLC
Belle Isle, Florida
Standard 2015-09-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6211M Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Idaho
Standard 2015-09-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4803S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2015-09-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7047Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Jersey Ridge Soaring LLC
Blairstown, New Jersey
Restricted 2015-09-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N80838 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Massachusetts
Standard 2015-09-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7769Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Central Air Parts INC
Staunton, Illinois
Restricted 2015-08-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7873P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Idaho
Standard 2015-08-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4787S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Classic Image Auto LLC
Huntsville, Alabama
Standard 2015-08-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N851DE Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2015-08-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8870E Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Delaware
Standard 2015-08-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9529P Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Central Air Parts INC
Staunton, Illinois
Restricted 2015-08-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4932S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Thunder Aviation LLC
Oro Valley, Arizona
Standard 2015-08-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6267P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Flyhigh LLC
Midlothian, Virginia
Standard 2015-08-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8656N Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine N8656N LLC
Weston, Nebraska
Standard 2015-08-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N559JT Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2015-08-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3795W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2015-08-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7786P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2015-08-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6844Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Antelope Valley Soaring Club
Llano, California
Restricted 2015-08-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8647W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2015-07-29 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.