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
N4664S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2006-01-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7385P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2006-01-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N55289 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2006-01-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9355W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
North Carolina
Standard 2005-12-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3397W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2005-12-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N435X Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2005-12-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7876P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2005-12-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N79MJ Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine 79Mj LLC
Mercer Island, Washington
Standard 2005-12-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756MN Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Moody Bible Institute of Chicago
Spokane, Washington
Standard 2005-12-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9838H Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 2005-12-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8982W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2005-11-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8988W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2005-11-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N25ME Siai-Marchetti
SF260
Fixed-wing, single engine Falcon Squadron INC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2005-11-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3634Y Piper
AEROSTAR 600
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Kahn-Air LLC
Rumson, New Jersey
Standard 2005-11-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N83231 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Illinois
Standard 2005-10-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3UW Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2005-10-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737FX Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2005-10-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7170P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Colorado
Standard 2005-10-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2970N Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
South Dakota
Standard 2005-09-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N529LW Nelson Harry H
HARMON ROCKET II
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Experimental 2005-09-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4475R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2005-09-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756CX Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2005-09-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4190E Piper
PA-32R-301T
Fixed-wing, single engine 4190E LLC
Tucson, Arizona
Standard 2005-08-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5323S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Grig Aero LLC
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Standard 2005-08-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7034Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Texas Soaring Association INC
Midlothian, Texas
Restricted 2005-08-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6483Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Spokane Soaring Society
Spokane, Washington
Standard 2005-08-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N781DC Maule
M-7-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2005-08-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1018H Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Gulf Air Group INC
Crestview, Florida
Standard 2005-08-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8513W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Texas Old Mans Aviation Society INC
Bertram, Texas
Standard 2005-08-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9759H Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2005-07-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N310VM Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2005-07-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6499P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2005-07-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N314TR Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Shalexco LLC
Salt Lake City, Utah
Standard 2005-07-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8285P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2005-07-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N588CP Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2005-07-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4136Z Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Brazit LLC
Miami, Florida
Standard 2005-06-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N33RB Barrows Robert E
BEARHAWK
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Illinois
Experimental 2005-06-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N614WM Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2005-06-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8875W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2005-06-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N78PW Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2005-06-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7289Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Kansas
Restricted 2005-06-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8711W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2005-06-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N106J Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Linder Michael A
Arvada, Colorado
Standard 2005-06-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6321T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Two One Tango LLC
Waynesboro, Pennsylvania
Standard 2005-06-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736ZP Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Paul Roussell LLC
Delhi, Iowa
Standard 2005-05-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4P Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2005-05-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7068P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Ls Engineering INC
Salt Lake City, Utah
Standard 2005-05-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N430AB Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Aerial Banners INC
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Standard 2005-05-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7394P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2005-05-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4883P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2005-05-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1656R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2005-05-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9939H Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Idaho
Standard 2005-05-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9291R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Mississippi
Standard 2005-04-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3921W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2005-04-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7585P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Comanche Flyers INC
East Palestine, Ohio
Standard 2005-04-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5405P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2005-04-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3726C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2005-04-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N406FD Agusta Spa
F.260D
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2005-04-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4642Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Friends Aviation INC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2005-03-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9356R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Quality By Design INC
Leesburg, Florida
Standard 2005-03-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5091T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2005-03-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9307W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Minnesota
Standard 2005-03-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6216N Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2005-03-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N411KF Frank Kevin
WHEELER EXPRESS
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Experimental 2005-03-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9164C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Monmouth Aircraft Services INC
Toms River, New Jersey
Standard 2005-03-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4898Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Connecticut
Standard 2005-03-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9472W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2005-02-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N945FW Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Lakeland, Florida
Standard 2005-02-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7560S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2005-01-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2945D Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2005-01-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9122R Mooney
M20M
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2005-01-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N55JA Britten-Norman
BN-2 ISLANDER
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2005-01-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N828JM Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine JR Aviation LLC
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Standard 2005-01-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7583W Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2005-01-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N926JG Gutwein Jan
BEARHAWK
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Experimental 2005-01-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7179P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Washington
Standard 2005-01-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7515P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 2004-12-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6919P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Munroe Consulting
Ocala, Florida
Standard 2004-12-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4806S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2004-12-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N160KT Grumman American Avn. Corp.
AA-5A
Fixed-wing, single engine Discover Resources LLC
Norman, Oklahoma
Standard 2004-12-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3155B Maule
MT-7-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Country Development LLC
Lebanon, Oregon
Standard 2004-12-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9887C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Michigan
Standard 2004-12-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7882P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Mexico
Standard 2004-11-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1898X Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Scott Ayer Interests LLC
Phoenix, Arizona
Standard 2004-11-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4115C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 2004-11-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6223M Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Alaska
Standard 2004-11-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6387P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2004-11-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N120S Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2004-11-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6115S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Gan Specialties INC
Pocatello, Idaho
Standard 2004-11-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5945K Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2004-10-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7922P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Keener & Assoc INC
North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Standard 2004-10-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N247JT Jenks
STEEN SKYBOLT
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Utah
Experimental 2004-10-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756ZC Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Skinner Leasing LLC
Medford, Oregon
Standard 2004-10-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N419X Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2004-10-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7557X Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Wright Aero INC
Saint Cloud, Minnesota
Standard 2004-10-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6274P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2004-10-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N929TC Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2004-09-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6FT Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
West Virginia
Standard 2004-09-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7730Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 2004-09-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56671 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Florida
Standard 2004-09-21 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.