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
N2236C Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 1998-10-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7380R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Lewis University
Romeoville, Illinois
Standard 1998-10-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N101TV Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Sky Helicopters INC
Garland, Texas
Standard 1998-10-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15171 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 1998-10-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N236BH Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Eagle Aero L L P
Carlsbad, New Mexico
Standard 1998-09-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5441N Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Yanta Aircraft Holdings LLC
San Antonio, Texas
Standard 1998-09-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7910P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 1998-09-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6830P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Nevada
Standard 1998-08-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9212C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 1998-08-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N493CA Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Montana
Standard 1998-08-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9217E Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 1998-07-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N250LJ Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Carew Aviation INC
Appleton, Wisconsin
Standard 1998-06-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8720W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 1998-06-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4817Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Quality Aviation INC
Marana, Arizona
Multiple 1998-06-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4977Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Quality Aviation INC
Marana, Arizona
Restricted 1998-06-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8323Y Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Rochester Flying Club INC
Rochester, New York
Standard 1998-06-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6444P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Sanderson Grain INC
Springlake, Texas
Standard 1998-06-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737VU Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Mexico
Standard 1998-05-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8847W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 1998-05-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9356W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 1998-05-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N204GA Gippsland
GA200
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Restricted 1998-04-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6223Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Seminole Flying & Soaring INC
Clermont, Florida
Restricted 1998-04-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5702P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Childs Group INC
Altoona, Iowa
Standard 1998-04-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5424P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 1998-04-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8148Z Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 1998-04-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N533MA Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Mercury Aviation INC
Flowood, Mississippi
Standard 1998-04-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8242P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 1998-04-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N33796 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine 235 Flying Circus INC
Gillette, New Jersey
Standard 1998-04-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7723J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 1998-03-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8868W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 1998-03-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9101C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 1998-03-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N137MW Britten-Norman
BN-2A
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Mcphillips Flying Service INC DBA
Beaver Island, Michigan
Standard 1998-02-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5368P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 1998-02-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8086N Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Dakota Group INC
Rockaway, New Jersey
Standard 1998-02-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N757XU Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Highflight INC
Perkinsville, Vermont
Standard 1998-02-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3980W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 1998-02-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7211Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Las Vegas Valley Soaring Association
Jean, Nevada
Restricted 1998-02-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N97RA Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 1998-01-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7017P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Dewey J Levie P C
Chino Valley, Arizona
Standard 1998-01-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N677PR Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Colorado
Standard 1998-01-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7742J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Airmore INC
Gainesville, Florida
Standard 1998-01-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N601TT Agusta Spa
F.260D
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oregon
Standard 1998-01-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7376P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Welch Robert W
Harper, Kansas
Standard 1997-12-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8549W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Michigan
Standard 1997-12-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N169E Helio
H-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 1997-12-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2137F Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 1997-12-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8792W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Alaska
Standard 1997-12-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6673P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 1997-12-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N787AN Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 1997-12-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N221X Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 1997-12-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4701S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kentucky
Standard 1997-12-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N123TX Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Gofly Corporation
Port Ewen, New York
Standard 1997-11-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5636D Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Idaho
Standard 1997-11-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8264P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 1997-11-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9716P Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Greater Boston Soaring Club
Sterling, Massachusetts
Standard 1997-10-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N235MA Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Morgantown Aero Corporation
Elverson, Pennsylvania
Standard 1997-10-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4530Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nebraska
Restricted 1997-10-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9443W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine C H Draw CO INC
Park City, Kansas
Standard 1997-09-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2333C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Afs INC
Grants Pass, Oregon
Standard 1997-08-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9876S Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Black Forest Soaring Society INC
Monument, Colorado
Standard 1997-08-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6982Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Butler Marine Aviation INC
Alexandria, Virginia
Restricted 1997-08-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15201 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 1997-07-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756KV Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Washington
Standard 1997-07-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6174P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 1997-06-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3272W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 1997-06-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N362CB Maule
M-7-235B
Fixed-wing, single engine Victor LLC
Carefree, Arizona
Standard 1997-06-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6120S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 1997-06-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N331PH Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Nevada
Standard 1997-05-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737AQ Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Debalco Enterprises INC DBA
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Standard 1997-05-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3639W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Ohio
Standard 1997-03-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8562N Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Lorox LLP
Wishek, North Dakota
Standard 1997-03-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6949Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Tide Water Soaring Society INC
Windsor, Virginia
Standard 1997-02-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5645P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kansas
Standard 1997-02-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3935W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 1997-01-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7007P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 1997-01-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5765P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 1997-01-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9300W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 1997-01-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9297W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 1996-12-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7298Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Shenandoah Valley Soaring INC
Nellysford, Virginia
Standard 1996-11-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7379P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 1996-11-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8107B Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Flying 20 Club INC
Newtown, Connecticut
Standard 1996-10-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7156P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 1996-10-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5426P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Wyoming
Standard 1996-10-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2092D Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 1996-09-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N679BB Piper
AEROSTAR 601P
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 1996-09-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7383X Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 1996-09-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5909P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Utah
Standard 1996-08-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N40KH S.O.C.A.T.A.
MS RALLYE 235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 1996-08-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756TR Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Massachusetts
Standard 1996-08-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9878P Piper
PA-25-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Seattle Glider Council INC
Bellevue, Washington
Standard 1996-08-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N863VL Britten-Norman
BN2A-26 ISLANDER
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Vieques Air Link
Vieques, Puerto Rico
Standard 1996-07-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N665 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Ohio
Standard 1996-07-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7333Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Soaring Society of Dayton INC
Waynesville, Ohio
Restricted 1996-07-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2864Y Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 1996-06-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4893P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Tri-City Helicopter Services INC
Richland, Washington
Standard 1996-06-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8939L Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Western Carolina AG Air INC
Catawba, North Carolina
Restricted 1996-05-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7245P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Louisiana
Standard 1996-04-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7069P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine D and S Neotech INC
Ogden, Utah
Standard 1996-04-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6168S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 1996-03-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N53LA Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Landis Aviation INC
Valdosta, Georgia
Standard 1996-03-15 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.