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
N331JH Headberg James
RV10
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Experimental 2011-09-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7296Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
South Dakota
Restricted 2011-09-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9558P Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Restricted 2011-09-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2964C Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2011-09-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N623MW Charles Thiemann
BEARHAWK
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Experimental 2011-09-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9065W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine J & K Enterprises INC
Waukesha, Wisconsin
Standard 2011-09-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6258M Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2011-09-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1673R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2011-09-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N700TC Piper
AEROSTAR 601P
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Tek Aire LLC
Blacklick, Ohio
Standard 2011-09-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4948S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Taildragon LLC
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Standard 2011-08-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7211P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oregon
Standard 2011-08-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8786W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Phoenix Eengineering LLC
Valley Center, California
Standard 2011-08-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N27PS Stevens Peter
STEVENS BEARHAWK
Fixed-wing, single engine Boyd Ranch LLC
Elko, Nevada
Experimental 2011-08-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N202GT Maule
M-7-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2011-08-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3572G Callair
A-9
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kansas
Restricted 2011-08-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5239S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Alabama
Standard 2011-08-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6471P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2011-08-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9442R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2011-08-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7611Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2011-08-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5419P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Trease Marvin R
Elwood, Nebraska
Standard 2011-08-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N44618 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Hawaii
Standard 2011-08-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N441TB Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Mansfield Heliflight INC
Milton, Vermont
Standard 2011-08-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4467Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Missouri
Restricted 2011-08-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4420Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Missouri
Restricted 2011-08-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N250DJ Bellanca Aircraft Corp.
51
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2011-08-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4965P Piper
PA-23-235
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Co-owned owner
New York
Standard 2011-08-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5327P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2011-07-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7252P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 2011-07-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9830P Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2011-07-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6965P Piper
PA-24-180
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2011-07-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9271W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2011-07-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N49CN Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Venture Air LLC
Leonard, North Dakota
Standard 2011-07-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7184P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2011-07-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N627GW Maule
M-7-235B
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2011-07-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7312W Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2011-07-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2396S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Lebeouf Bros Towing LLC
Houma, Louisiana
Standard 2011-07-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N10NW Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2011-06-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6562S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
North Carolina
Standard 2011-06-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4423R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Aviation Specialists INC
Gonzales, Louisiana
Standard 2011-06-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4944S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Prescott, Arizona
Standard 2011-06-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N54RA Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2011-06-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7105P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2011-06-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N348JM Aviat Aircraft Inc
S-1-11B
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Experimental 2011-06-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4942P Piper
PA-23-235
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Co-owned owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2011-06-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3039W Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2011-06-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N487SC Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2011-06-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N80BR Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine N80Br LLC
Port Orange, Florida
Standard 2011-06-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N757HF Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine G & T Associates
Bellevue, Washington
Standard 2011-06-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N250PC Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2011-06-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8072T Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Lane Aviation LLC
Tijeras, New Mexico
Standard 2011-06-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8588L Piper
PA-25-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Super Pawnee LLC
Delafield, Wisconsin
Standard 2011-06-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8122Z Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Crosswinds Flying Club INC
Bloomington, Illinois
Standard 2011-06-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4897Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2011-05-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7027U Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Ttwn Media Networks LLC
New York, New York
Standard 2011-05-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N55308 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Charger 308 LLC
Hollis, Oklahoma
Standard 2011-05-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737QH Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2011-05-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3225W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Cherokee Aero Group INC
Lakeland, Florida
Standard 2011-05-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9284W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2011-05-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6749Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2011-05-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9824P Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2011-05-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4244C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2011-05-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1680R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2011-05-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6486P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2011-05-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4538Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2011-04-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9762P Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2011-04-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9435W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2011-04-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8885W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2011-04-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N331ES Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2011-04-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N387X Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2011-04-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7053P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2011-04-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N19HJ Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nebraska
Standard 2011-04-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8821L Piper
PA-25-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Southern California Soaring Academy INC
Valencia, California
Restricted 2011-04-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7778Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2011-04-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5371F Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2011-04-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N812JS Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Standard 2011-03-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4832T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Virginia
Standard 2011-03-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1426T Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Hillcrest of Central Fl LLC
Auburndale, Florida
Standard 2011-03-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N33735 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2011-03-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2068S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine N2068S LLC
Solana Beach, California
Standard 2011-03-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5629N Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2011-02-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N323RA S.O.C.A.T.A.
RALLYE 235E
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 2011-02-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4428R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2011-01-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3991W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Allways LLC
Missoula, Montana
Standard 2011-01-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6455P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2011-01-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8349P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2011-01-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1036N Maule
M-7-235B
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Alaska
Standard 2011-01-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6289T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2011-01-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9073W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2010-12-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5038Y Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Aileron Buzz LLC
Daytona Beach, Florida
Standard 2010-12-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736ZT Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Aircraft Structural Repair INC
Hamilton, Montana
Standard 2010-12-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N182SP Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine T Mark Fay Consulting INC
Naperville, Illinois
Standard 2010-11-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N757PD Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Idaho
Standard 2010-11-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3989W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Higher Plane INC
Wilton Manors, Florida
Standard 2010-11-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2284T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2010-11-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9027E Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2010-11-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N471GM Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 2010-10-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3981W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Dream LLC
Middletown, Delaware
Standard 2010-10-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2237Q Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
New Jersey
Standard 2010-10-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N10DT Thompson
SKYBOLT
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Experimental 2010-10-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N40969 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Papa Bravo LLC
Decatur, Alabama
Standard 2010-10-05 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.