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
N56NL Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Extra Air LLC
Port Orange, Florida
Standard 2003-01-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N232PF Fagan Patrick J
BEARHAWK
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Experimental 2003-01-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736ZX Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Redstone Arsenal Flying Activity
Redstone Arsenal, Alabama
Standard 2003-01-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6134P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine J-Tom INC
Lincoln, Nebraska
Standard 2003-01-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9584P Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Sugarbush Soaring Assn INC
Warren, Vermont
Standard 2002-12-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3014G Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Wings Aircraft LLC
Anacortes, Washington
Standard 2002-12-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2242F Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2002-12-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6701P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2002-11-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N469CB Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Central Boiler Promotions INC
Greenbush, Minnesota
Standard 2002-11-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4757P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2002-11-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N14EE S.O.C.A.T.A.
RALLYE 235E
Fixed-wing, single engine 14Ee CORP
Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
Standard 2002-10-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N399RC Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Southwestern Development & Leasing INC
Costa Mesa, California
Standard 2002-10-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5157Y Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Christine Flight INC
Denver, Colorado
Standard 2002-10-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7610P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Washington
Standard 2002-10-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N99ES Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2002-10-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56298 Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2002-10-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N904GD Britten-Norman
BN-2B-26
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Air Charter INC DBA
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Standard 2002-09-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6962P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Ohio
Standard 2002-09-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3248W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2002-09-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7274P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2002-09-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4667S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Advanced Communications & Technologies INC
Erie, Colorado
Standard 2002-08-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8561N Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2002-08-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2223V Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arkansas
Standard 2002-07-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5717P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2002-07-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N55049 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Florida
Standard 2002-07-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N418KM Maule
M-7-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2002-07-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N41L Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2002-06-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8514L Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Sugarbush Soaring Assn INC
Warren, Vermont
Standard 2002-06-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9752N Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2002-06-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6766P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2002-06-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4649S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Brigger LLC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2002-06-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N57AA Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine South Texas Weather Modification Association
Pleasanton, Texas
Restricted 2002-06-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5914P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Montana
Standard 2002-05-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9819P Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2002-05-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4681S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2002-05-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6675Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Boomer Aviation INC
Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Restricted 2002-05-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7248P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine N7248P LTD
Wallkill, New York
Standard 2002-05-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4978T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2002-04-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56332 Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2002-04-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N92390 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Elek LLC
Springfield, Missouri
Standard 2002-04-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8658L Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Mid Atlantic Soaring Association INC
Frederick, Maryland
Standard 2002-03-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6372S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Holt Richard M
Sierra Vista, Arizona
Standard 2002-02-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9701P Piper
PA-25-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Tucson Soaring Club INC
Sahuarita, Arizona
Standard 2002-02-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6149S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2002-02-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7SX Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Indiana
Standard 2002-02-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2957M Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 2002-02-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N738WV Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2002-01-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7579Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Rotor and Wing
Tioga, North Dakota
Restricted 2002-01-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N54898 Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Central Indiana Soaring Society
Yorktown, Indiana
Restricted 2001-12-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N87MR Maule
M-7-235B
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2001-12-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7303P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Indiana
Standard 2001-12-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8573W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Missouri
Standard 2001-12-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3765W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
South Carolina
Standard 2001-11-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8971P Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Derrel Luce PC
Waco, Texas
Standard 2001-11-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N105DY Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2001-11-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7924P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine West Texas Weather Modification Association
San Angelo, Texas
Standard 2001-10-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8687W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arkansas
Standard 2001-10-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8688W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2001-10-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9266E Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Mexico
Standard 2001-09-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3081E Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2001-09-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5443P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Michigan
Standard 2001-09-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9170W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2001-08-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7341P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2001-08-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9154P Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2001-07-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5389P Piper
PA-24
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2001-07-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15TK Jones Tyre K
STARDUSTER II TK1
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Experimental 2001-07-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7290P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Farmland Investments INC
Mound City, Missouri
Standard 2001-07-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N18BR Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Fly Ohio INC
Columbus, Ohio
Standard 2001-06-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N738VG Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Jersey
Standard 2001-06-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3307W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
South Carolina
Standard 2001-06-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9096W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oregon
Standard 2001-06-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8797W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Nebraska
Standard 2001-06-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8638L Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Tulsa Skyhawks INC
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Multiple 2001-05-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N711EZ Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Sparrow International LLC
Littleton, Colorado
Standard 2001-05-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9224W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2001-05-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7286C Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kentucky
Standard 2001-05-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8753W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Connecticut
Standard 2001-05-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756UC Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2001-05-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15251 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2001-05-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4082R Piper
PA-32-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Mid-Life Crisis Aviation LLC
Renton, Washington
Standard 2001-04-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5580P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2001-04-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N82575 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2001-04-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4933S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 2001-04-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9202Z Maule
M-7-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Alaska
Restricted 2001-03-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1999S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2001-03-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3637C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Three Seven Charlie LLC
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Standard 2001-03-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756AL Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2001-03-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2129Z Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
New York
Standard 2001-03-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7196H Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter State of Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
Standard 2001-03-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6217C Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2001-02-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7183C Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter State of Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
Standard 2001-02-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8567W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2001-02-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6618Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Rotor and Wing
Tioga, North Dakota
Restricted 2001-01-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2213F Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine J & M Airways LLC
Troy, Michigan
Standard 2001-01-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8130Y Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2000-12-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7685P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Mexico
Standard 2000-12-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2817C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine 2817C INC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2000-11-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9103E Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kentucky
Standard 2000-11-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N80KM Britten-Norman
BN-2A
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Mcphillips Flying Service INC DBA
Beaver Island, Michigan
Standard 2000-11-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8182P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arkansas
Standard 2000-10-27 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.