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
N8382P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 1992-03-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N82RC Cox Rondal R
FALCON SPECIAL S1R
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Experimental 1992-01-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N345HP Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 1992-01-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N114X Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Taft Plumbing CO INC
Taft, California
Standard 1992-01-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4699Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Sandhill Soaring Club INC
Brighton, Michigan
Restricted 1992-01-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7979P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kansas
Standard 1992-01-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N738CK Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 1991-12-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8131P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Georgia
Standard 1991-12-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8642L Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Texas Soaring Assn
Midlothian, Texas
Restricted 1991-12-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6729P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Montana
Standard 1991-11-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6665P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 1991-11-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8519L Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Chicago Glider Club
Minooka, Illinois
Standard 1991-11-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N487P Piper
PA-28-140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 1991-10-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5590P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 1991-10-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N824F Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Fly Well Flying Club INC
Roseville, Minnesota
Standard 1991-10-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6209T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 1991-09-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6814Y Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Hartwig Acft Fuel Cell Repair LTD
Hallock, Minnesota
Standard 1991-09-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N722JW Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 1991-09-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3786W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 1991-08-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8778L Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Robertson Crop Dusting Service INC
South Haven, Michigan
Restricted 1991-08-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4470Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Restricted 1991-08-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7303Y Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Cedar River Flyers
Seattle, Washington
Standard 1991-07-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3861W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Puerto Rico
Standard 1991-07-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6067P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 1991-07-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7799Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Mid Atlantic Soaring Association
Frederick, Maryland
Restricted 1991-06-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6715P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Francis Investment CORP
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Standard 1991-06-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N96WP Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Vermont
Standard 1991-05-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7409Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Finger Lakes Soaring Club INC
Dansville, New York
Standard 1991-05-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5504P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maine
Standard 1991-05-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4521Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Restricted 1991-04-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7470Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Restricted 1991-04-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9968C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 1991-04-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7153P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 1991-03-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7312X Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 1991-02-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56684 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Hickory Air Associates INC
Granite Falls, North Carolina
Standard 1991-01-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2666T Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 1991-01-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9098W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 1990-12-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3592W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Foothills Aviation INC
Pickens, South Carolina
Standard 1990-12-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7311Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Bermuda High Soaring School
Lancaster, South Carolina
Restricted 1990-11-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756VH Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Condair Flyers INC
Latham, New York
Standard 1990-11-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6112S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Hall Metal CORP
Fort Pierce, Florida
Standard 1990-11-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4487Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nebraska
Restricted 1990-10-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N405X Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 1990-09-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N757BP Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Washington
Standard 1990-08-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6529P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Massachusetts
Standard 1990-07-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5554J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine C M Lindsay and Sons INC
Lumberton, North Carolina
Standard 1990-07-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8539W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 1990-07-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N738RS Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 1990-07-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7265P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 1990-06-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8902L Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Illini Glider Club
Danville, Illinois
Restricted 1990-06-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7426P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Nehus Christopher J
Camarillo, California
Standard 1990-06-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6791Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Air Care INC
Lamar, Colorado
Restricted 1990-06-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7704J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Tatum John T
Danville, Arkansas
Standard 1990-05-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N32025 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 1990-04-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4926Y Piper
PA-25-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Denton Aerial Spraying INC
Las Animas, Colorado
Restricted 1990-04-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8550L Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine High Desert Soaring Clubinc
Bend, Oregon
Restricted 1990-04-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N78RG Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Bubber INC
Lake Providence, Louisiana
Standard 1990-02-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9298W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Universal Avn INC
La Cygne, Kansas
Standard 1990-02-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8181P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Tascosa Trail INC
Gruver, Texas
Standard 1990-01-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N869VL Britten Norman
BN 2A MKIII 2
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Vieques Air Link INC
Vieques, Puerto Rico
Standard 1989-12-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756JV Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Rufus Briar INC
Willow Spring, North Carolina
Standard 1989-11-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7696C Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 1989-11-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7081Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Nutmeg Soaring Association
Freehold, New York
Standard 1989-09-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2940V Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Mike Koller Enterprises INC
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 1989-09-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5903P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 1989-08-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9149C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Illinois
Standard 1989-08-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9158E Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine 7 J Aeroflight Publications INC
Gruver, Texas
Standard 1989-08-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8567N Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Weekend Aviators LTD
Herndon, Virginia
Standard 1989-08-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5102Y Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine K F Aviation INC
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Standard 1989-07-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4644P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
California
Standard 1989-07-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N68VE Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine K F Aviation INC
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Standard 1989-07-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N11TD Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Duflo Spray Chemical INC
Lowville, New York
Multiple 1989-06-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8601W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 1989-06-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15939 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 1989-06-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7199P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Montana
Standard 1989-06-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756KZ Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Eight Two Tango INC
Winchester, Virginia
Standard 1989-04-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N738BK Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Michigan
Standard 1989-04-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N95BN Britten-Norman
BN-2A-8
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Mcphillips Flying Service INC
Charlevoix, Michigan
Standard 1989-03-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1800R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Sugrue Aviation INC
Silver City, South Dakota
Standard 1989-03-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N16378 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Lapair INC
Vero Beach, Florida
Standard 1989-01-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8384Y Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Progressive Flying CORP
North Salem, Indiana
Standard 1988-12-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8536W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Feather INC
Clarksdale, Mississippi
Standard 1988-12-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N418JT S.O.C.A.T.A.
RALLYE 235E
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Idaho
Standard 1988-10-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7303Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Seminole Flying Soaring INC
Clermont, Florida
Standard 1988-09-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15177 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Air Craft Enviromental Sys INC
Hilton, New York
Standard 1988-09-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4904S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 1988-09-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4752S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Rion Aviation Corporation
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 1988-08-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9445W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Washington
Standard 1988-08-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7129Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Blue Ridge Soaring Society INC
New Castle, Virginia
Restricted 1988-08-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3725W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 1988-06-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6043P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 1988-05-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4461Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 1988-04-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5622P Piper
PA-24
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 1988-04-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9203W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 1988-03-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5412S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 1987-11-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756LR Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Wingover Aviation INC
Huntsville, Alabama
Standard 1987-10-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4921P Piper
PA-23-235
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
California
Multiple 1987-09-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3607W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Oceanstate Flying Club INC
Little Compton, Rhode Island
Standard 1987-08-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8520W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 1987-08-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7941P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kentucky
Standard 1987-08-05 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.