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
N8852W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Sussex Aero Maintenance INC
Georgetown, Delaware
Standard 2010-10-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2418V Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2010-09-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6229N Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2010-09-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9422W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Eagle Wings Aviation INC
Cornell, Illinois
Standard 2010-09-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N574PR Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Puerto Rico
Standard 2010-09-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56310 Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2010-09-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5636H Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Louisiana
Standard 2010-08-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8104P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Nevada
Standard 2010-08-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8521N Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Ride Solutions INC
Sudan, Texas
Standard 2010-08-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4937S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
South Carolina
Standard 2010-08-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3411W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine American Airpower Museum
Farmingdale, New York
Standard 2010-08-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5287P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Louisiana
Standard 2010-07-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4691P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Williamsburg Air Service
Kingstree, South Carolina
Standard 2010-07-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4863S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Hogs LLC
Georgetown, South Carolina
Standard 2010-07-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6301V Helio
H-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Valley River Leasing INC
Murphy, North Carolina
Standard 2010-07-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7192H Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter 7192H LLC
Redwood City, California
Standard 2010-07-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4827Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Thief River Aviation INC
Thief River Falls, Minnesota
Restricted 2010-06-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6910P Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Blue Skies Aviation LLC
Algona, Iowa
Standard 2010-06-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N738PR Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine S D Sky Tales INC
Chuckey, Tennessee
Standard 2010-06-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N711DT Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
South Carolina
Standard 2010-06-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8017P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2010-06-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8109Z Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Illinois
Standard 2010-06-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4779T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine American Aerial Patrol LLC
Saint Amant, Louisiana
Standard 2010-05-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15655 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine French Creek Holdings LLC
Saratoga, Wyoming
Standard 2010-05-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15624 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Ultimax INC
Columbus, Ohio
Standard 2010-05-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N210BB Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Cherry Hill Aviation C182 LLC
Freetown, Indiana
Standard 2010-05-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N555BN Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Emerald City Aircraft Leasing INC
Port Orchard, Washington
Standard 2010-05-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5243P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine R & O Aviation LLC
Middleville, Michigan
Standard 2010-05-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2229W Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2010-05-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5546S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Choice Vc LLC
Oakland, Michigan
Standard 2010-05-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4840Y Piper
PA-25-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Dmc Aircraft LLC
Naples, Florida
Restricted 2010-04-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736QU Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Cloudstreet Partnership
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Standard 2010-04-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8609W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Cherokee 8609W LLC
Morgan, Utah
Standard 2010-04-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6160P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Bbg Air Ventures LLC
Chandler, Arizona
Standard 2010-04-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5948P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2010-04-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9173C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 2010-04-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9273W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine White J David
Louisville, Kentucky
Standard 2010-04-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7366T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2010-04-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7758P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2010-04-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7041Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
South Dakota
Restricted 2010-03-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6745Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Southern California Soaring Academy
Valencia, California
Multiple 2010-03-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7130P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2010-03-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N178MC Piper
PA-32-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Willett Cattle CO
Sanford, Colorado
Standard 2010-02-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4245C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2010-02-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N32346 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2010-02-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2211J Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Massachusetts
Standard 2010-02-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8176P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2010-02-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756RP Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2010-02-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5125Y Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 2010-02-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7141P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Wild Aire LLC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2010-02-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7887P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine 7887Papa LLC
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Standard 2010-02-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4786S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Multiprop Ventures LLC
Danvers, Massachusetts
Standard 2010-01-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9104E Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Louisiana
Standard 2010-01-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7949P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Walters Donald J
Mohave Valley, Arizona
Standard 2010-01-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8095G Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2010-01-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9344W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kansas
Standard 2010-01-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7173Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Air Kraft Spraying INC
Timber Lake, South Dakota
Restricted 2010-01-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737HN Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2010-01-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8684W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2010-01-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N164U Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2009-12-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6451P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
West Virginia
Standard 2009-12-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5631P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2009-12-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7637P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Fyi Adventures LLC
Ocala, Florida
Standard 2009-12-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N215ST Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 2009-12-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6557P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Bs Airlines LLC
Wahpeton, North Dakota
Standard 2009-12-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N75091 Piper
PA-32R-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2009-12-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7185P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 2009-11-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5614P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2009-11-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4525P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Flying L Aircraft INC
Fort Denaud, Florida
Standard 2009-10-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8992W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Kelk Investment Management LLC
Lake Tomahawk, Wisconsin
Standard 2009-10-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8368P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Mexico
Standard 2009-10-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3324W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 2009-10-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9149W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
New Mexico
Standard 2009-10-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N33124 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2009-10-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8946W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Indiana
Standard 2009-09-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N375KM Selchow Gene R
KODIAK CRUISER
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Experimental 2009-09-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N11131 Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2009-09-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3028H Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2009-09-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N817K Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Colorado
Standard 2009-09-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N799AM Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Ldd Construction INC
Dupont, Colorado
Standard 2009-09-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N235DB Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2009-08-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8362N Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Atlantic Aviation LLC
Stevensville, Maryland
Standard 2009-08-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5079Y Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2009-08-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7197V Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Executive Helicopters INC
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Standard 2009-08-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N29604 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2009-08-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4570T Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2009-08-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5297P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Mexico
Standard 2009-08-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7344P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2009-08-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N144WB Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Universal Aviators Academy INC
El Monte, California
Standard 2009-07-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N320RB Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Oregon
Standard 2009-07-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9487W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Pikes Peak Fliers LLC
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Standard 2009-07-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5204S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Washington
Standard 2009-07-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8485F Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arkansas
Standard 2009-07-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5430P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Mexico
Standard 2009-06-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5394P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2009-06-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5227P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2009-06-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8849M Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2009-05-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4304R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oregon
Standard 2009-05-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N54416 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2009-05-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N83126 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Ttl Aviation LLC
Lexington, Kentucky
Standard 2009-05-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes

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.