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
N93HB Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2004-09-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8256L Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2004-09-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8634W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2004-09-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1579X Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2004-08-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4784Y Piper
PA-25-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Big Sky Jet INC
Bozeman, Montana
Restricted 2004-08-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N83160 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2004-08-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736ZD Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2004-08-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N566TP Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2004-08-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3880W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Specialized Communications
Smithsburg, Maryland
Standard 2004-07-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N200DB Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Delta Bravo INC
Davie, Florida
Standard 2004-07-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N312RA S.O.C.A.T.A.
RALLYE 235E
Fixed-wing, single engine Cross Country Soaring INC
Lonsdale, Minnesota
Standard 2004-07-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N667DT Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Jersey
Standard 2004-07-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8451P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2004-07-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4798S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2004-07-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6500P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2004-06-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6048P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2004-06-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7626P Piper
PA-24
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 2004-06-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7232V Intermountain
CALLAIR A-9
Fixed-wing, single engine Sky Sailing INC
Warner Springs, California
Standard 2004-05-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4307G Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Big Cockpit LLC
Schaumburg, Illinois
Standard 2004-05-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N706MC Britten-Norman
BN2A-26 ISLANDER
Fixed-wing, multi-engine St Bernard Parish Government
Chalmette, Louisiana
Multiple 2004-05-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N517MS Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2004-05-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9324W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine B2W CORP
Winona, Minnesota
Standard 2004-05-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8816L Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Windy City Soaring Association
Hinckley, Illinois
Standard 2004-05-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737CF Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Zia Air 7Cf LLC
Redwood City, California
Standard 2004-04-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9468P Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Rhode Island
Standard 2004-04-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5890P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Mexico
Standard 2004-04-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N250CC Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Aerodynamics Worldwide INC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2004-04-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3215W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2004-04-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7301W Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2004-03-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4215T Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2004-03-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9100W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 2004-03-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N771PC Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Buzzair INC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2004-03-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N777LF Helio
H-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Aeolian CORP
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2004-02-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8290H Intermountain
CALLAIR A-9
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Restricted 2004-02-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7773P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
West Virginia
Standard 2004-02-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5584P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Missouri
Standard 2004-02-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7592Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Restricted 2004-01-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7381P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Pax River Flyers LLC
Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Standard 2004-01-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15304 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Smeltzer and Sons INC
Cape May C H, New Jersey
Standard 2004-01-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3601W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Precision Landings INC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2004-01-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7739P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2004-01-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6303T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Pink Pilot LLC
Madison, Wisconsin
Standard 2004-01-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9060W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 2004-01-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8209P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Fox Black Enterprises INC
Kilmarnock, Virginia
Standard 2003-12-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3471W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
South Carolina
Standard 2003-12-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5359P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District
White Deer, Texas
Restricted 2003-12-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9357P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2003-12-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N40726 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2003-12-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3585W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2003-11-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4351D Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2003-11-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7325S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Vineyard View Aviation INC
Napa, California
Standard 2003-11-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2870T Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Alabama
Standard 2003-10-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3454W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Roos Paul A
Lake City, Florida
Standard 2003-10-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N62607 Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Horizon Aeronautics
Columbia, South Carolina
Standard 2003-10-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5760P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2003-10-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9456W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2003-10-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7592Y Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Clover Park Technical College
Lakewood, Washington
Standard 2003-10-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3944W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Catlin Flying Service LLC
Twisp, Washington
Standard 2003-10-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737JN Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Surplus Products INC
East Point, Kentucky
Standard 2003-10-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N39BC Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2003-10-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5555J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Florida
Standard 2003-09-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5678P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2003-09-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N897M Maule
M-7-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Alaska
Standard 2003-09-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5649M Maule
M-6-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Multiple 2003-09-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9049W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2003-09-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8849W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Mexico
Standard 2003-09-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7189P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2003-08-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6442P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine V & e Aviation LLC
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Standard 2003-08-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7753P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2003-08-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2116Z Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
New Mexico
Standard 2003-08-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8402B Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2003-07-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N121DW Britten-Norman
BN-2A-8
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Flight World INC
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Standard 2003-07-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N905GD Britten-Norman
BN-2A-9
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Air Charter INC DBA
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Standard 2003-07-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N133JD Swick-Bucker Jungmeister
BU133S
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Experimental 2003-07-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4321Y Piper
PA-23-235
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Co-owned owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2003-06-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9513P Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Air Sailing INC
Reno, Nevada
Standard 2003-05-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2673T Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Missouri
Standard 2003-05-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N145RH Husted Dean
MEYERS 145 REPLICA
Fixed-wing, single engine Flying L Aircraft INC
Fort Denaud, Florida
Experimental 2003-05-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N409X Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Colorado
Standard 2003-05-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5BK Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2003-05-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9475W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Giese Aerial INC
Hoffman, Minnesota
Standard 2003-05-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N28WW Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2003-04-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4591T Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Cherokee 235 LLC
Sidney, Nebraska
Standard 2003-04-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7694P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine N7694P Enterprises INC
Dover, Delaware
Multiple 2003-04-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736ER Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2003-04-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56398 Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Caprock Spraying INC
Vega, Texas
Standard 2003-04-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6906P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 2003-04-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N69HH Haigh Henry A
HAIGH SPECIAL
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Experimental 2003-04-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5386P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Rendezvous Air LLC
Riverton, Wyoming
Standard 2003-04-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7159P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Indiana
Standard 2003-04-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56934 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2003-04-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8208P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Utah
Standard 2003-03-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N83741 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Montana
Standard 2003-03-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9001W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2003-03-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N469EH Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arkansas
Standard 2003-03-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N412EP Maule
M-7-235B
Fixed-wing, single engine Masters Mission
Nenana, Alaska
Standard 2003-02-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3485W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Florida
Standard 2003-02-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6118P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nebraska
Standard 2003-02-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N547X Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Idaho
Standard 2003-02-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6383T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2003-01-27 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.