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
N7370Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Omaha Soaring Club INC
Omaha, Nebraska
Standard 1987-07-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56973 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Baja Flyers INC
San Diego, California
Standard 1987-06-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N62033 Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 1987-05-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N876EE Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Jersey
Standard 1987-04-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6483P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 1987-04-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6996P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 1987-04-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3818W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Headwinds Maintenance INC
Fort Pierce, Florida
Standard 1987-03-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N418X Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Hampshire
Standard 1987-03-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6127M Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wyoming
Standard 1987-02-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7372Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Long Island Soaring Assn
Yaphank, New York
Restricted 1987-02-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2334C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Tallahassee Flying Club INC
Tallahassee, Florida
Standard 1987-01-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9546P Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Vacaville Aero Services INC
Williams, California
Restricted 1987-01-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15355 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Brandvold Larry J
Fairfield, Montana
Standard 1986-12-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8599W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 1986-09-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756EF Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Tim Daniels INC
Labelle, Florida
Standard 1986-09-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8741W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arkansas
Standard 1986-07-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7753Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine St Louis Soaring Association INC
Saint Louis, Missouri
Standard 1986-06-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7244P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 1986-06-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4430Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Evergreen Soaring INC
Lynnwood, Washington
Multiple 1986-06-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7561X Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Nri Flying Club INC
Walnut Creek, California
Standard 1986-05-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9260R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 1986-05-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3642W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 1986-02-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756XW Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Mid-America Communications INC
Pocahontas, Iowa
Standard 1986-01-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N19WA Britten-Norman
BN-2A-8
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Mcphillips Flying Service INC
St James, Michigan
Standard 1985-12-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N706HP Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Florida Highway Patrol
Tampa, Florida
Standard 1985-11-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7086P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
West Virginia
Standard 1985-11-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6775P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Maryland
Standard 1985-10-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5091S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Tennessee
Standard 1985-08-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2134S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine C Squared INC
Stevensville, Maryland
Standard 1985-08-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N411ET Aero Commander
500-B
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Central Airlines INC
Leawood, Kansas
Standard 1985-08-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1255S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 1985-05-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9896P Piper
PA-25-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Lees Aerial Spraying INC
Aberdeen, Idaho
Restricted 1985-05-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N318TC Smith
AEROSTAR 600
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 1985-04-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8764W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Johnson Walter R
Chuckey, Tennessee
Standard 1985-02-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N738AX Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 1985-02-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N82967 Piper
PA-32R-301
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 1985-01-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5453P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 1985-01-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5486N Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Montana
Standard 1984-12-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2114S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Cochise Community College
Douglas, Arizona
Standard 1984-12-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9153C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Pax Enterprises INC
Allen, Texas
Standard 1984-09-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4571Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Restricted 1984-08-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7617P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 1984-07-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9188T Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Arizona Soaring INC
Maricopa, Arizona
Restricted 1984-06-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9892P Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Arizona Soaring INC
Maricopa, Arizona
Restricted 1984-06-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N30FC Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine State Alabama Forestry Commission
Florence, Alabama
Standard 1984-05-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5261P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Mon-Dak Consulting INC
Plentywood, Montana
Standard 1984-04-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1806R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Fly By Night Aviation INC
Pleasantville, New York
Standard 1984-01-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6924P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 1984-01-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9217W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 1984-01-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6810Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Albuquerque Soaring Club INC
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Restricted 1983-12-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8679W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 1983-10-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5239P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 1983-08-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2389S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Phillips Aviation Enterprises INC
Petoskey, Michigan
Standard 1983-07-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9247E Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 1983-07-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N104DM Mc Alee Dennis E
SKYBOLT
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Experimental 1983-07-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4825Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Jersey
Restricted 1983-05-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1781R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Dale Mar Enterprises INC
Granton, Wisconsin
Standard 1983-05-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8774W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 1982-09-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756KS Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 1982-07-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4856Y Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Agland Air INC
Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Restricted 1982-06-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N10SG Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 1982-06-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6405P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kansas
Standard 1982-06-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1668R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Edwards Air Force Base Aero Club
Edwards Afb, California
Standard 1982-05-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N737ND Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Cochise College
Douglas, Arizona
Standard 1982-03-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3336W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Buck Brothers
Joliet, Illinois
Standard 1981-12-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5758P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 1981-10-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6162P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 1981-09-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6724Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Restricted 1981-09-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5563P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 1981-09-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7350H Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 1981-08-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N32JD Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Duflo Spray Chemical INC
Bremen, New York
Multiple 1981-05-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7300S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 1981-04-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3559W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 1981-04-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N390X Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 1981-03-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N415BH Aero Commander
500-B
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Central Airlines INC
Leawood, Kansas
Standard 1981-03-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N32645 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Taylor Trent & Haugan INC
Santa Barbara, California
Standard 1981-02-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7220V Callair
A-9
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Restricted 1980-12-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3933W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kentucky
Standard 1980-10-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8888W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nebraska
Standard 1980-09-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4621S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Slayton Oil Corporation
Roswell, New Mexico
Standard 1980-09-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56584 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Pathfinder Air INC
Troy, Michigan
Standard 1980-06-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2326U Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Rodger Roberts INC
Winchester, Ohio
Standard 1980-02-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5768P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 1980-01-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N54909 Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Soaring Society of Dayton INC
Waynesville, Ohio
Standard 1979-12-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N738NQ Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Utah
Standard 1979-09-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7570P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 1979-09-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8272H Callair
A-9
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Restricted 1979-07-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7234V Intermountain
CALLAIR A-9
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Multiple 1979-06-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7049Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Olathe Spray Service INC
Olathe, Colorado
Restricted 1979-06-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5205P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 1979-05-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7735Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Restricted 1979-05-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9649P Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Harris Hill Soaring CORP
Horseheads, New York
Standard 1979-05-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N451X Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Cross Winds Flying Club INC
Bloomington, Illinois
Standard 1979-04-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6400P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 1979-04-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N411JF Aero Commander
500-B
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Central Airlines INC
Leawood, Kansas
Standard 1979-04-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N82526 Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Restricted 1979-04-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7242Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Restricted 1979-03-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9063L Hiller
UH-12E
Rotorcraft Knutson Flying Service INC
Tioga, North Dakota
Standard 1979-02-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7191Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Restricted 1979-01-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7597X Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Plain Company LTD
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Standard 1978-06-23 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.