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
N7664P Piper
PA-24
Fixed-wing, single engine Sandpiper Aviation LLC
Carson City, Nevada
Standard 2009-05-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8336Z Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2009-05-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4670S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Eagle Valley Aviation LLC
Carson City, Nevada
Standard 2009-04-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9780P Piper
PA-25-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Restricted 2009-04-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6898P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nebraska
Standard 2009-04-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N29JD Maule
M-6-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2009-04-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N81LC Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Mexico
Standard 2009-04-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5354S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Arcturus Bootes LLC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2009-04-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9317R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Tennessee
Standard 2009-03-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N112WS Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Edgeington Randall K
Riverton, Wyoming
Standard 2009-03-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15493 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Midwest Flying Service INC
Elgin, Nebraska
Standard 2009-03-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7230P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2009-03-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4577X Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Fairhaven LLC
Meridian, Mississippi
Standard 2009-03-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6460T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Idaho
Standard 2009-02-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N101YT Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2009-02-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8070 Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2009-02-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1223 Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2009-01-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7866P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Gcsb Enterprises LLC
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Standard 2009-01-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3382W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2009-01-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7829P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Spring Mountain Technologies LLC
Schwenksville, Pennsylvania
Standard 2009-01-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7366P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2008-12-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N929SM Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Air Manos LLC
Mesa, Arizona
Standard 2008-11-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N844DT Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Silverhawk Aviation Academy LLC
Caldwell, Idaho
Standard 2008-11-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8987W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Sonrise Aviation LLC
Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Standard 2008-11-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6701Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Osher Air LLC
Wallingford, Iowa
Restricted 2008-11-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737HP Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Massachusetts
Standard 2008-11-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N250MG Bellanca Aircraft Corp.
51
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2008-11-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N914AM Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2008-11-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5913P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Mercer Gary L
Eaton, Ohio
Standard 2008-11-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7204Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Restricted 2008-10-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7748P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Cardiovascular Service Associates
Downers Grove, Illinois
Standard 2008-09-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6249P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2008-09-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756GY Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Lake Superior College
Duluth, Minnesota
Standard 2008-09-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5082Y Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Oregon
Standard 2008-09-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5511A Maule
M-7-235B
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2008-09-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6178P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2008-09-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5023Y Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Aas LLC
Ovid, Michigan
Standard 2008-08-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9134P Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Gjdefigo LLC
Gambrills, Maryland
Standard 2008-08-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7017Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2008-08-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8546N Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Beaver Brook Aviation LLC
Scotia, New York
Standard 2008-08-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2696C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine United States Air Force
Peterson Afb, Colorado
Standard 2008-08-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5638Z Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2008-07-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1598B Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Timerider Technologies INC
Bishop, California
Standard 2008-07-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8124J Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2008-07-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N359X Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kansas
Standard 2008-07-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3027V Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2008-07-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7144P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2008-07-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2804C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2008-07-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8659P Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Michigan
Standard 2008-07-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9117W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Little Wing Aero LLC
East Longmeadow, Massachusetts
Standard 2008-06-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N55WM Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2008-06-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5811P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Jpl Flyers LLC
Metairie, Louisiana
Standard 2008-06-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5384S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2008-06-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5441P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2008-06-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N999KK Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2008-06-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7804P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
North Dakota
Standard 2008-06-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4794Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Air Kraft Spraying INC
Timber Lake, South Dakota
Restricted 2008-06-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6482P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Corson County Feeders INC
Mc Laughlin, South Dakota
Standard 2008-06-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4728P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Wyoming
Restricted 2008-06-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N815DZ Cessna
182T
Fixed-wing, single engine Blue Sky LLC
Overland Park, Kansas
Standard 2008-05-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3016D Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2008-05-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7430P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 2008-05-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5576P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Mark Stephens Farm INC
Dutton, Montana
Standard 2008-05-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5870P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2008-05-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3739W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Pacific Gold Aviation Association
Roseville, California
Standard 2008-04-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6523P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2008-04-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N20848 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Jersey
Standard 2008-04-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2358S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wyoming
Standard 2008-04-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N408PB Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2008-04-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N58PJ Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2008-03-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6057P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Aerdonlen
Pensacola, Florida
Standard 2008-03-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N346 Maule
MX-7-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2008-02-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7011P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
South Carolina
Standard 2008-02-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3852W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Utah
Standard 2008-02-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9277E Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Idaho
Standard 2008-02-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8130X Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Buck Company LLC
Saint Louis, Missouri
Standard 2008-02-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N43170 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2008-02-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4696P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2008-02-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7219Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Jersey Devil Dusters LLC
Southampton, New Jersey
Restricted 2008-02-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7002P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Monterey Bay Aviation INC
Watsonville, California
Standard 2008-01-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1777R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2008-01-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8670L Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Simmons Aviation Services LLC
Pawcatuck, Connecticut
Standard 2008-01-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N22MJ Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2008-01-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9288W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Ohio
Standard 2008-01-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4417T Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Bimini Bullet LLC
Lakeland, Florida
Standard 2008-01-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6703Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Schneider Aerial INC
Rugby, North Dakota
Restricted 2008-01-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4707Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Wengair LLC
Powell, Wyoming
Restricted 2007-12-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9188W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Dc Engineering INC
Meridian, Idaho
Standard 2007-12-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N451J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Send North
Anchorage, Alaska
Standard 2007-12-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N757JW Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2007-11-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2386C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2007-11-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736VF Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2007-11-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7089Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Azskyad LLC
Avondale, Arizona
Restricted 2007-11-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2365C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Strolin LLC
Maple Valley, Washington
Standard 2007-10-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5099P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2007-10-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5901P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 2007-09-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1047Y Maule
M-7-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2007-09-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N99FD Agusta Spa
F.260D
Fixed-wing, single engine Golden Tree Flyer CORP
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2007-09-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N156DC Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2007-08-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3703W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2007-08-21 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.