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
N5944P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Mexico
Standard 2000-10-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N40KM Maule
M-7-235B
Fixed-wing, single engine Flight Tech LLC
Prosser, Washington
Multiple 2000-10-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6667P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arkansas
Standard 2000-10-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7039P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Nebraska
Standard 2000-10-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2172U Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Wandering Wings INC
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Standard 2000-10-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756BC Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2000-09-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N914P Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Land-O-Lakes Flying Club INC
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Standard 2000-09-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5518J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2000-09-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8947W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Idaho
Standard 2000-09-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5664Y Maule
M-7-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 2000-08-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1717L Mooney
M20M
Fixed-wing, single engine Gkd CORP
Lakewood, Washington
Standard 2000-08-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4758P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2000-08-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5083C Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Tsf INC
Bristol, Wisconsin
Standard 2000-08-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N403WB Britten-Norman
BN2A-26 ISLANDER
Fixed-wing, multi-engine New England Airlines INC
Westerly, Rhode Island
Standard 2000-08-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8504L Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Texas Soaring Association
Midlothian, Texas
Restricted 2000-08-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1786R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2000-07-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3836W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 2000-07-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N740HN Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2000-07-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N705CG Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2000-07-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4331Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Delaware
Restricted 2000-06-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N163JB Cessna
182S
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2000-06-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7326P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2000-05-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N143ZL Moravan
Z143L
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2000-05-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6395P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
New Jersey
Standard 2000-05-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N81406 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Dorgate LLC
Charles City, Iowa
Standard 2000-05-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5946P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2000-05-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6380P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2000-04-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8110B Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine St Air LTD
Cincinnati, Ohio
Standard 2000-04-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5596J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Jenny LLC
Hudsonville, Michigan
Standard 2000-04-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2224B Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2000-04-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9351W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Massachusetts
Standard 2000-04-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7568Y Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Aviation Associates LLC
Oxford, Maryland
Standard 2000-04-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7031P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Tenkiller Flying Club
Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Standard 2000-04-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3353W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Virginia
Standard 2000-03-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2739C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Lge Flying Club INC
Marietta, Georgia
Standard 2000-03-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5363Y Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Co-owned owner
Idaho
Standard 2000-02-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3019Y Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Idaho
Standard 2000-02-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5952P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 2000-02-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8266P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2000-01-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4373R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Klc Associates
Unionville, Connecticut
Standard 2000-01-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56612 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Washington
Standard 2000-01-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N146SC Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Fantasy Aire INC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2000-01-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5546H Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 1999-12-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2107G Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 1999-12-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4569Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 1999-12-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4624Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 1999-12-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N26AU Siai-Marchetti
SF-260C
Fixed-wing, single engine Maximum Entropy INC
Wilmington, Delaware
Experimental 1999-11-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9036R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Baltz David M
Superior, Colorado
Standard 1999-11-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N351VA Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Victory Aviation Club INC
Hamilton, Ohio
Standard 1999-11-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56391 Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 1999-11-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N341DR Cessna
182S
Fixed-wing, single engine Echo Sierra INC
Potomac Falls, Virginia
Standard 1999-10-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5705P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine N5705P INC
Pompano Beach, Florida
Standard 1999-10-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N55DA Dehavilland
DHC-1 T.MK. 10
Fixed-wing, single engine Circle L J Aviation INC
Plant City, Florida
Experimental 1999-09-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5481S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Plumb Ray A
Salida, Colorado
Standard 1999-09-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9576P Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Philadelphia Glider Council
Hilltown, Pennsylvania
Standard 1999-09-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N55347 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 1999-09-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8773W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 1999-09-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3916W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Spiritaire INC
Saint Louis, Missouri
Standard 1999-09-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N901GD Britten-Norman
BN2A-26 ISLANDER
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Air Charter INC DBA
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Standard 1999-08-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1773R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Oregon
Standard 1999-08-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4940P Piper
PA-23-235
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Arpey Aviation LTD
Colleyville, Texas
Standard 1999-08-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N757QT Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Moxley Equipment CO INC
Council Grove, Kansas
Standard 1999-07-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6166M Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Bradley Aero Services INC
Southwick, Massachusetts
Standard 1999-07-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5230P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 1999-07-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6640P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 1999-07-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6194P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Crosby Tire & Body Shop INC
Crosby, North Dakota
Standard 1999-07-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6104P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 1999-07-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N27423 Piper
PA-31-350
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Idaho
Standard 1999-06-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4515P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Flying W Leasing INC
Bartlett, Illinois
Standard 1999-06-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8087C Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Hartzell Propeller Employees Flying Club
Piqua, Ohio
Standard 1999-06-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5569P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Spirit Wings LTD
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 1999-06-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737TB Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Bartholemy Construction INC
Beaverton, Oregon
Standard 1999-06-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7080P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Standard 1999-06-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4910S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maine
Standard 1999-06-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7675P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 1999-06-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N89WB Agusta Spa
F.260D
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 1999-06-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9039C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Double O Seven Limited CO
Carefree, Arizona
Standard 1999-05-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4815Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Adrian Soaring Club INC
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Standard 1999-05-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7613P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Massachusetts
Standard 1999-04-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N55031 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Monaghan Management CORP
Greenwood Village, Colorado
Standard 1999-04-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N222TJ Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 1999-04-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4714P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Oregon
Experimental 1999-03-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1732R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 1999-03-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N82ER Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Midwest Airmotive INC
Mount Sterling, Kentucky
Standard 1999-03-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4861S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Midwest Airmotive INC
Mount Sterling, Kentucky
Standard 1999-03-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6909P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine West Texas Weather Modification Association
San Angelo, Texas
Multiple 1999-03-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N950HP Cessna
206H
Fixed-wing, single engine Kansas Highway Patrol
Topeka, Kansas
Experimental 1999-02-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N38505 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Commercial Openings
Raleigh, North Carolina
Standard 1999-02-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N234RC Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Ronnie G Crider Pa
Clearwater, Florida
Standard 1999-02-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3969W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 1999-02-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3890W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Nevada
Standard 1999-02-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6016P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Montana
Standard 1999-01-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8929W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 1999-01-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N711EW Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Ward Lumber Company INC
El Cajon, California
Standard 1999-01-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9251W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Colorado
Standard 1998-11-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5544S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 1998-11-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1007U Maule
M-7-235B
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 1998-11-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N235LW Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 1998-11-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6121T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Mississippi
Standard 1998-11-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9424W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 1998-10-20 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.