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
N7955P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Stockton Chemical INC
Wallis, Texas
Standard 1996-03-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3082T Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 1996-03-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5518T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Blue Sky Group INC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 1996-03-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N343RA S.O.C.A.T.A.
RALLYE 235E
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 1996-02-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756GL Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 1996-01-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8829W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 1996-01-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N79ST Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 1996-01-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N111AJ Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 1996-01-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6990Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Wabash Valley Soaring Association INC
Lawrenceville, Illinois
Restricted 1996-01-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9137Z Piper
PA-32-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 1995-11-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2840G Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine L'Avion LLC
Napoleonville, Louisiana
Standard 1995-11-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9178W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 1995-09-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7143P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Kc Flyers INC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 1995-09-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N50CP Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 1995-09-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9046W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Jersey
Standard 1995-09-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N65048 Hiller
UH-12E
Rotorcraft Individual owner
Texas
Multiple 1995-09-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5632A Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 1995-08-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N69PD Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 1995-08-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2119V Britten-Norman
BN-2B-26
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Co-owned owner
Idaho
Standard 1995-08-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N456DJ Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Single Raj Pa INC
Seattle, Washington
Standard 1995-07-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7683P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 1995-07-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N833GS Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
South Carolina
Standard 1995-07-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N963J Piper
PA-24
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 1995-06-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9123W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 1995-06-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2632C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Utah
Standard 1995-06-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9416W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Idaho
Standard 1995-05-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6279J Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 1995-04-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737HU Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 1995-03-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4870T Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 1995-03-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N768CA Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Massachusetts
Standard 1995-02-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4823T Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 1995-02-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9849C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine 377 Morale Welfare Recreational Services Aero Club
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Standard 1994-11-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4879S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Jersey
Standard 1994-11-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3669W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nebraska
Standard 1994-10-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5340P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 1994-10-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3573G Callair
A-9
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Restricted 1994-10-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N55007 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Av8 INC
Westborough, Massachusetts
Standard 1994-10-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N82319 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine American Medical Emergency Serv INC
Englewood, Florida
Standard 1994-09-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8842W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 1994-09-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1824R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Maryland
Standard 1994-08-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N422DJ Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 1994-08-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4528P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 1994-08-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5699P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Utah
Standard 1994-07-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8137C Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 1994-07-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737J Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 1994-06-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N235DG Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Prop Air INC
Allen Park, Michigan
Standard 1994-05-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7928P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Nevada
Standard 1994-05-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8924W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 1994-04-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7992P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 1994-04-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737XX Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 1994-03-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9207E Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 1994-03-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N322RA S.O.C.A.T.A.
RALLYE 235E
Fixed-wing, single engine Euroamerican Development Group INC
New York City, New York
Standard 1994-02-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2926J Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 1994-02-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N471DL Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Sutton Douglas A
Paola, Kansas
Standard 1994-02-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5584J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 1994-02-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9181E Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 1994-01-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2372C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Martin Land Improvement INC
Elk Rapids, Michigan
Standard 1993-12-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6412P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Alaska
Standard 1993-12-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3900W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 1993-11-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N738VT Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Jersey
Standard 1993-11-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3729W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 1993-10-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N738EE Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 1993-09-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8522W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 1993-08-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7842P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Michigan
Standard 1993-08-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2360Q Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Star Ads Incorporated
Torrance, California
Standard 1993-07-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56309 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 1993-06-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N739DM Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Missouri
Standard 1993-06-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3438W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Blue Wanderers
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Standard 1993-05-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N31KM Maule
M-6-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Multiple 1993-04-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7677Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Utah
Restricted 1993-04-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737ZZ Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 1993-04-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6782Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Willamette Valley Soaring Club
Beaverton, Oregon
Restricted 1993-03-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N94HH Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Harris Hill Soaring CORP
Horseheads, New York
Standard 1993-03-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N81531 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 1993-02-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8848L Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Soaring Society of Dayton INC
Waynesville, Ohio
Standard 1993-02-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4183C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 1993-02-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9349R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 1993-02-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6756Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Restricted 1993-02-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8122P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 1993-01-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3576W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Georgia
Standard 1992-12-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9425W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 1992-11-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4662P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Co-owned owner
North Carolina
Standard 1992-10-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N36RD Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Proflight INC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 1992-10-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7073Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Vacaville Aero Services INC
Williams, California
Restricted 1992-10-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8559N Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
South Dakota
Standard 1992-09-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8680W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 1992-08-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9181D Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Boehmer Transportation Corporation
Machias, New York
Standard 1992-08-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4560P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine American Trans Air Training CORP
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Standard 1992-08-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5634Y Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Pottenger Charles R
Lewiston, Idaho
Standard 1992-08-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5434P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 1992-07-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4740R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 1992-06-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N242SB Spickes D E/Spickes B J Jr
SPICKES SKYBOLT
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Experimental 1992-06-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6114S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 1992-06-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15396 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 1992-06-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8240D Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 1992-05-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N182DC Cessna
182RG
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Connecticut
Standard 1992-05-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8948W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Montana
Standard 1992-05-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N42HR Harmon John M
HARMON ROCKET II
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Experimental 1992-05-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9342W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Utah
Standard 1992-05-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N940D Stinson
108-2
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 1992-04-03 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.