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
N7282V Aero Commander
CALLAIR A-9
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Restricted 2007-08-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4423X Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Shiloh Aircraft Museum INC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2007-08-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3662C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Armi LLC
Nevada, Iowa
Standard 2007-08-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737MK Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2007-08-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9441W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2007-07-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N668SA Robinson Helicopter
R44 II
Helicopter North Country Heli-Flight INC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2007-07-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7558P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2007-07-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8745W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Leedahl Aircraft LLC
Leonard, North Dakota
Standard 2007-07-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5824P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2007-07-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8910W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2007-07-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4939S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Vermont
Standard 2007-06-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5525J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 2007-06-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N397PC Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2007-06-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5291P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 2007-06-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5242P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2007-05-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6448P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2007-05-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5686P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2007-05-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4937T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Salsbery Enterprises INC
Sharpsville, Indiana
Standard 2007-05-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7704Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Aerial Banners INC
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Standard 2007-05-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N417BH Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2007-05-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4884S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Leto Aviation LLC
Delaware, Ohio
Standard 2007-05-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736YQ Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 2007-05-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N540JC Maule
M-4
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2007-04-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4726S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine N4726S LLC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2007-04-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N122KY Piper
PA-25-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Seminole Flying & Soaring INC
Clermont, Florida
Standard 2007-04-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N614MB Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Starlight Express LLC
Bellevue, Washington
Standard 2007-04-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N260WG Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2007-04-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9389W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2007-04-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7198Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Piedmont Soaring Society
Clemmons, North Carolina
Restricted 2007-03-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2AJ Cessna
182Q
Fixed-wing, single engine Blair Aviation LLC
Swamp Branch, Kentucky
Standard 2007-03-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8629W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Nevada
Standard 2007-03-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8099N Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Arthur Kezian INC
Los Angeles, California
Standard 2007-03-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N739VF Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Missouri
Standard 2007-03-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1713R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Nevada General Enterprises LTD
Reno, Nevada
Standard 2007-03-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N918V Shipler
SKYBOLT
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oregon
Experimental 2007-02-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7263Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2007-02-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N757BG Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Connecticut
Standard 2007-02-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N248DB Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Ace Helicopters LLC
Colfax, Wisconsin
Standard 2007-02-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N31DE Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 2007-02-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N23FA Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Kentucky
Standard 2007-01-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N235AL Maule
M-7-235B
Fixed-wing, single engine Stinair LLC
Millville, California
Standard 2007-01-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7676P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2007-01-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6144M Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 2007-01-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7338P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Idaho
Standard 2007-01-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9142P Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2007-01-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6681P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2007-01-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3934W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Studio Jet INC
Valley Village, California
Standard 2006-12-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5630N Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Connecticut
Standard 2006-11-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7470P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Carey Transport
Baker City, Oregon
Standard 2006-11-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8902W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2006-11-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3994W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2006-11-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9007R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Washington
Standard 2006-11-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9175W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2006-10-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4440Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Restricted 2006-10-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6727Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2006-10-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5712P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2006-10-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8657P Piper
PA-24
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2006-10-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N236PR Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Connecticut Flyers INC
Madison, Connecticut
Standard 2006-09-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1695R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oregon
Standard 2006-09-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7997P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Gilbert Aviation LLC
Mendon, Vermont
Standard 2006-09-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8510L Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Stewarts Aircraft Service INC
Waynesville, Ohio
Standard 2006-09-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3728W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Galactic Air LLC
Ringoes, New Jersey
Standard 2006-09-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5967P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2006-08-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3VC Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2006-08-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8120P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2006-07-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9158C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2006-07-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4393H Howell Bob
HOWELL SPECIAL
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Experimental 2006-07-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2755B Aero Commander
680FL
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Boyce Aviation INC
New Port Richey, Florida
Standard 2006-06-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N145AB Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Aerial Banners INC
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Multiple 2006-06-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3SG Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine N3Sg Enterprises INC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2006-06-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7425P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2006-06-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7055P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 2006-06-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N24FL Piper
PA-28-180
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2006-06-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5206Y Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Idaho
Standard 2006-06-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8032P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Kansas
Standard 2006-06-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2827C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine California Equipment Leasing LLC
Marina del Rey, California
Standard 2006-05-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1721R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2006-05-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4359R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Aircraft Resources INC
Crescent City, Florida
Standard 2006-05-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15291 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2006-05-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4706S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Great Lakes Aviation LLC
Burtchville, Michigan
Standard 2006-05-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N522E Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Skyfest Aviation Investments INC
Daytona Beach, Florida
Standard 2006-05-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6274T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2006-04-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N189AB Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Aerial Banners INC
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Multiple 2006-04-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2431S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Davis Girls LLC
San Jose, California
Standard 2006-04-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9573P Piper
PA-25-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Aerial Banners INC
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Standard 2006-04-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8078P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Comanche Partners
Manhattan, Montana
Standard 2006-04-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7327P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2006-04-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9304W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Bark N Bite Aviators LLC
Sedona, Arizona
Standard 2006-04-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3646W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Wap Air LLC
Newburgh, Indiana
Experimental 2006-03-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5593P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2006-03-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3811W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kentucky
Standard 2006-03-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7140T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2006-03-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N226TP Maule
M-7-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Normandy Flyers Limited INC
Middletown, Delaware
Standard 2006-03-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N825CR Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2006-03-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7085P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Flyum LLC
Bay City, Michigan
Standard 2006-02-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6486Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Southern Eagles Soaring INC
Butler, Georgia
Standard 2006-02-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N235WG Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2006-01-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4934P Piper
PA-23-235
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Alm Holding LLC
Winton, California
Standard 2006-01-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9242W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2006-01-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9117C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2006-01-18 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.