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
N106RM Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Advanced Aviation Solutions LLC
Jasper, Indiana
Standard 2014-02-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N379X Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Cjr Air Service LLC
Saint Louis, Missouri
Standard 2014-02-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6717Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2014-02-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7252Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Aerial Banners INC
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Restricted 2014-02-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56753 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2014-02-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N38469 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Pathfinder One Holdings LLC
Huntington Beach, California
Standard 2014-02-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6548Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Missouri
Restricted 2014-02-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8941W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Salisbury Airplane Associates INC
Berlin, Maryland
Standard 2014-02-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N32623 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Five Sides Racing LLC
Fallbrook, California
Standard 2014-02-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N277A Reims Aviation
CESSNA FR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maine
Standard 2014-02-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1976B Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Emerald City Aircraft Leasing INC
Port Orchard, Washington
Standard 2014-02-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N489CY Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine W Morrison Consulting Group INC
Aliso Viejo, California
Standard 2014-02-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N260G Siai Marchetti
F.260C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Montana
Standard 2014-01-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1999T Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Fly Boys Ink LLC
Ellington, Connecticut
Standard 2014-01-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5329P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Spectrum Communications INC
Moses Lake, Washington
Standard 2014-01-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9294W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2014-01-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8136P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2014-01-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N503RT Aero Commander
500
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2014-01-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N403X Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Cc Motors LLC
Redding, California
Standard 2014-01-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N114CG Commander Aircraft Co
114-B
Fixed-wing, single engine United Aviation LLC
Whitehall, Pennsylvania
Standard 2014-01-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7865P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Gear Down Hangar LLC
Phoenix, Arizona
Standard 2014-01-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9087W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2014-01-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4372R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Kennemer Farms INC
Carter, Oklahoma
Standard 2013-12-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6534P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Norwood Comanche Flyers LLC
Quincy, Massachusetts
Standard 2013-12-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N33831 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine D&K Sales INC
Canton, Georgia
Standard 2013-12-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7302W Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2013-12-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N843FR Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter C4L Helicopters LLC
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Standard 2013-12-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3689C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine R D Management LLC
Central City, Nebraska
Standard 2013-12-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736LF Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Avitran INC
Coral Gables, Florida
Standard 2013-12-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N271RG Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Capitol City Flyers INC
Madison, Wisconsin
Standard 2013-12-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7430Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2013-11-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N544RL Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Plane Leasing LLC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2013-11-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7860P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Valley Aircraft Management INC
Visalia, California
Standard 2013-11-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8161X Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Little Bluebird LLC
Tampa, Florida
Standard 2013-11-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N972SA Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Lindeman INC
D'Hanis, Texas
Standard 2013-11-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8138Z Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2013-11-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2136C Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2013-11-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N44696 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2013-11-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N729SC Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2013-10-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N82423 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Aeronautical Development LLC
Richland, Michigan
Standard 2013-10-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736BA Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Best Aviation LLC
Hoxie, Kansas
Standard 2013-09-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4735T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kentucky
Standard 2013-09-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5546P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2013-09-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N155CT Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Outsideloop LLC
Denver, Colorado
Standard 2013-09-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3226W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2013-09-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1702R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Daniel Boone Flying Club INC
Booneville, Missouri
Standard 2013-09-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N33694 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Fly LLC
Natchez, Mississippi
Standard 2013-09-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N17132 Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nebraska
Standard 2013-09-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8460C Aero Commander
500
Fixed-wing, multi-engine State of Alaska Dept of Fish & Game
Kodiak, Alaska
Standard 2013-09-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N12JL Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Texas
Multiple 2013-09-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5671Z Piper
PA-22-108
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Kansas
Standard 2013-09-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N738BQ Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2013-09-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7438P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Tennessee
Standard 2013-09-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4951P Piper
PA-23-235
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Knights Aviation Services LLC
Westlake, Ohio
Standard 2013-09-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7131S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Maya Aircraft Holdings LLC
Lee, New Hampshire
Standard 2013-09-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6114P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kentucky
Standard 2013-08-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9109Z Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 2013-08-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8627W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Montana
Standard 2013-08-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3372M Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2013-08-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4331D Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2013-08-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N917GD Britten-Norman
BN-2A-27
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Air Charter INC DBA
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Standard 2013-08-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N235PF Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine International Air Services INC Trustee
Carson City, Nevada
Standard 2013-08-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7142P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2013-08-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7795P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2013-08-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736ZV Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2013-08-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N260NB Siai-Marchetti
SF260
Fixed-wing, single engine Uninsured Aircraft LLC
Jacksonville, Florida
Standard 2013-08-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3HR Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2013-08-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N738AS Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Virginia
Standard 2013-08-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N238WM Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2013-08-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N67DD Helio
H-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2013-08-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N236RC Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
New Mexico
Standard 2013-07-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3306C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Skylane INC
Schaumburg, Illinois
Standard 2013-07-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4834S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Buell Bay CO
Irvington, Virginia
Standard 2013-07-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N207PD Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Firefly Leasing INC
South Carver, Massachusetts
Standard 2013-07-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8642W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2013-07-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3364W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Massachusetts
Standard 2013-07-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756RF Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Sky Kastle LLC
Milford, Ohio
Standard 2013-07-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2633C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Jersey
Standard 2013-07-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8512W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2013-07-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N30173 Piper
PA-32RT-300T
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2013-07-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6656P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Vermont
Standard 2013-07-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7982P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2013-07-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N159K Aero Commander
500
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Island Hopper Air LLC
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Standard 2013-07-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6137T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 2013-06-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5950P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kansas
Standard 2013-06-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4966Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2013-06-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5571P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2013-06-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56496 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Ics Air LLC
Saint James, Minnesota
Standard 2013-06-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7039Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Thermalator Soaring Association LLC
Wilmington, Delaware
Restricted 2013-06-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8407V Aero Commander
CALLAIR A-9
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Restricted 2013-06-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N738CU Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2013-06-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8561W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Nevada
Standard 2013-06-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N418PR Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
North Carolina
Standard 2013-05-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56290 Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Franscioni Farms INC
Salinas, California
Standard 2013-05-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6062P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2013-05-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5252P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arkansas
Standard 2013-05-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N401WB Britten-Norman
BN-2A
Fixed-wing, multi-engine New England Airlines INC
Westerly, Rhode Island
Standard 2013-05-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N312MM Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2013-05-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6324V Helio
H-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2013-05-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1030Z Maule
M-7-235B
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2013-05-10 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.