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
N7730P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Utah
Standard 2015-07-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756UB Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2015-07-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N91DW Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2015-07-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6173P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Utah
Standard 2015-07-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N220WS Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2015-07-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N313MW Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2015-07-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N428CT Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2015-07-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3841W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2015-07-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9019E Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2015-07-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8292P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Charles City Aeronautics INC
Charles City, Iowa
Standard 2015-07-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4666B Cessna
180
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Alaska
Standard 2015-06-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7745P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Colorado
Standard 2015-06-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9820H Cessna
182R
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2015-06-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N830AK Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Old City Helicopter Sales LLC
Saint Augustine, Florida
Standard 2015-06-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5588P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine North Town Comanche LLC
North Las Vegas, Nevada
Standard 2015-06-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6191S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Sky King Aviation Services LLC
Lakeside, Arizona
Standard 2015-06-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6982P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Capuano Group INC
Ormond Beach, Florida
Standard 2015-06-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7351P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 2015-06-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8394P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2015-06-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9360R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2015-06-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N12828 Dornier
DO28 A-1
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Fulwiler Air LLC
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Standard 2015-06-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4518T Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Bnr Aviation LLC
Lawrenceville, Georgia
Standard 2015-06-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6086S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Dos Lobos Aviation LLC
Yankton, South Dakota
Standard 2015-06-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9174W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2015-06-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9254P Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Meyer Aviation LLC
South St Paul, Minnesota
Standard 2015-05-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N260FS Siai Marchetti
F.260C
Fixed-wing, single engine Great Lakes Bp LLC
Cranston, Rhode Island
Standard 2015-05-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3455W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2015-05-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8054B Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Skycrafters INC
Johnson City, Tennessee
Standard 2015-05-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4556F Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Reindeer Aviation LLC
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Standard 2015-05-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N142CA Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2015-05-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7348Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Pittsburgh Soaring Association
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Restricted 2015-04-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6672P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2015-04-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3231W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Double F Enterprise LLC
Paullina, Iowa
Standard 2015-04-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6212P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2015-04-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9148X Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2015-04-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5248P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Mississippi
Standard 2015-04-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6803P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2015-04-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N363FS Maule
M-7-235B
Fixed-wing, single engine Marlu Enterprises INC
Foristell, Missouri
Standard 2015-04-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N305 S.O.C.A.T.A.
RALLYE 235E
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2015-04-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8093P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Fly Boyz LLC
Black Hawk, South Dakota
Standard 2015-04-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4699S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2015-04-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737FU Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arkansas
Standard 2015-04-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N444SK Robinson Helicopter
R44 II
Helicopter Spitzer Helicopter LLC
Woodland Hills, California
Standard 2015-04-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7510T Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Spitzer Helicopter LLC
Woodland Hills, California
Standard 2015-04-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736DZ Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Dogwood Memorial LLC
Grapevine, Texas
Standard 2015-04-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9803P Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Missouri
Restricted 2015-04-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8651P Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2015-03-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2350U Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2015-03-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4148C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2015-03-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N200SX Easter William Craig
PRESCOTT PUSHER
Fixed-wing, single engine Allen Investments Aviation & Marine INC
Fort Myers, Florida
Experimental 2015-03-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3836C Aero Commander
500
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Advanced Airways INC
Loxahatchee, Florida
Standard 2015-03-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9186X Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2015-03-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1657R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Enroute Direct LLC
Woodstock, Georgia
Standard 2015-03-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N16MM Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Massachusetts
Standard 2015-03-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5633B Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Good Airplanes LLC
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Standard 2015-03-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2149E Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Montana
Standard 2015-03-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7437P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2015-03-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N225JA Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2015-03-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4773S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Sonrex LLC
Auburn, Indiana
Standard 2015-03-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9473W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Georgia
Standard 2015-02-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3277C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Standard 2015-02-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4618Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Eagleville Soaring Club
Eagleville, Tennessee
Standard 2015-02-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7652P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Oso Air LLC
Missoula, Montana
Standard 2015-02-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8012P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
South Dakota
Standard 2015-02-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4821S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine 4821S LLC
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Standard 2015-02-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N913B Maule
M-7-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine N913B LLC
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Standard 2015-02-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N46WF Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2015-02-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7621F Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2015-02-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56033 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2015-02-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5527S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Silver State Aero Group LLC
Discovery Bay, California
Standard 2015-02-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N33143 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
South Carolina
Standard 2015-01-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N253ER Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Colorado
Standard 2015-01-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2471E Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2015-01-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9362W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2015-01-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N219JR Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Roberts Pipeline INC
Middletown, Indiana
Standard 2015-01-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N45TZ Cumberland Cary
STEEN SKYBOLT
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Experimental 2015-01-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9166E Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2015-01-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9540P Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Restricted 2015-01-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756EV Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Idaho
Standard 2015-01-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N777YT Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Keyt LLC
Missoula, Montana
Standard 2015-01-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1048T Maule
M-7-235B
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2015-01-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5403P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2015-01-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3780W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2014-12-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9077C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine 389 Fifth Street LLC
Placida, Florida
Standard 2014-12-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5999P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2014-12-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5100P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Huntcliff Air Services LLC
Atlanta, Georgia
Standard 2014-12-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8901W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2014-12-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N441MR Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Hillsboro Aero Academy LLC
Hillsboro, Oregon
Standard 2014-12-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15645 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2014-12-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4531P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Delta Sierra LLC
Naples, Florida
Standard 2014-12-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5628P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2014-12-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9132W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2014-12-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N33864 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2014-12-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8118T Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Jersey
Standard 2014-12-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15601 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Wisconsin Fox River Flyers
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Standard 2014-11-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N33568 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Maryland
Standard 2014-11-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N646SD Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2014-11-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N818MJ Piper
PA-23
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Pika Design INC
Spring Hill, Kansas
Standard 2014-11-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4793S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Arkansas Pilots for Christ INC
Paragould, Arkansas
Standard 2014-11-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7114Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Montana
Restricted 2014-11-05 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.