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
N38226 Piper
PA-32-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Martinex Aviation LLC
Wentzville, Missouri
Standard 2025-03-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2843D Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kentucky
Standard 2025-03-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5269Y Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Flying K Aviation LLC
Quinlan, Texas
Standard 2025-03-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N541RJ Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Swostar Holdings LLC
Brookhaven, Georgia
Standard 2025-03-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9126C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2025-03-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3230W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 2025-03-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5567P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2025-03-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7737P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Flying Ankers LLC
Saint Marys, Ohio
Standard 2025-03-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9467W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2025-03-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56793 Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Dodson International Parts INC
Rantoul, Kansas
Standard 2025-03-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4822S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kentucky
Standard 2025-03-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5286T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Wilson Aviation LLC
Robinson, Illinois
Standard 2025-03-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5408P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Zero Eight Papa LLC
Dublin, Ohio
Standard 2025-03-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9181W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Skyward Horizons LLC
Maumelle, Arkansas
Standard 2025-03-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9496W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Tennessee
Standard 2025-03-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1424M Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Fly High LLC
Mobile, Alabama
Standard 2025-02-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4849S Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Czyszczon Aviation LLC
St Pete Beach, Florida
Standard 2025-02-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7028P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Northern Cape Sea Farms LLC
Cape May, New Jersey
Standard 2025-02-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N81067 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Dakota Wings LLC
Leedey, Oklahoma
Standard 2025-02-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756CC Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 2025-02-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N411TC Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Elite Choppers Nc LLC
Winston Salem, North Carolina
Standard 2025-02-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N55KH Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2025-02-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N29SC Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2025-02-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N42AG Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2025-02-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8730W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
New Mexico
Standard 2025-02-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6014C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Hangar 14 LLC
Spokane, Washington
Standard 2025-02-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N701SD Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Rescue Ministry CORP
Haines City, Florida
Standard 2025-02-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7192P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Best Equipment Leasing LLC
Bakersfield, California
Standard 2025-02-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N83029 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Travis Aviation LLC
Jacksonville, Texas
Standard 2025-02-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N75008 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2025-02-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3486W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kentucky
Standard 2025-02-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2195M Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2025-02-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N757SP Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine 4E Aviation LLC
Alpine, Utah
Standard 2025-02-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5273P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Southern View Energy INC
Lula, Georgia
Standard 2025-02-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736WP Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine N736Wp LLC
Waterford, New York
Standard 2025-02-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N41139 Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Louisiana
Standard 2025-02-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6498P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2025-02-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9244W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2025-02-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N294KP Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Pensom Holdings Professional LLC
Southlake, Texas
Standard 2025-02-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56315 Maule
M-6-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2025-02-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7089P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 2025-02-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6715Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine W5 Land Services LLC
Okeechobee, Florida
Restricted 2025-02-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756TU Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arizona
Standard 2025-02-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9631P Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Kansas Air LLC
Linn, Kansas
Restricted 2025-02-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9153J Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2025-02-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6198M Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Papa Bear Adventures INC
Bethel, Alaska
Standard 2025-02-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7757Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Minden Soaring Club INC
Minden, Nevada
Restricted 2025-02-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8572W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
South Dakota
Standard 2025-01-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9195W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Mcguire Aviation LLC
Kalispell, Montana
Standard 2025-01-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N32RF Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Connecticut
Standard 2025-01-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N70BB Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2025-01-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7717J Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Flying High Aviation LLC
Kalispell, Montana
Standard 2025-01-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8648P Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2025-01-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8183X Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2025-01-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N31ND Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Indiana
Standard 2025-01-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6407P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Smith Wesley K
Billings, Montana
Standard 2025-01-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7492P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Cache Rentals 401K P.S.P.
Greeley, Colorado
Standard 2025-01-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9334R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2025-01-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7863P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2025-01-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N118SG Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2025-01-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4631P Piper
PA-23
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2025-01-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N736ZJ Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2025-01-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N81188 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine International Air Services INC Trustee
Carson City, Nevada
Standard 2025-01-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8927W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Colorado
Standard 2025-01-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2971N Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Full Scale Aviation LLC
Corinth, Mississippi
Standard 2025-01-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756WV Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Mr Cake LLC
Missoula, Montana
Standard 2025-01-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N681JB Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Juliet Bravo Aviation LLC
South Padre Island, Texas
Standard 2025-01-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8737W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2025-01-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1126C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2025-01-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N144WT Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Performancez LLC
Nederland, Texas
Standard 2025-01-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4636P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine V1 Iowa Aviation LLC
Des Moines, Iowa
Standard 2025-01-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N225AB Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Minden Soaring Club INC
Minden, Nevada
Restricted 2025-01-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5523T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Mexico
Standard 2025-01-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6126P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Dallas Jets Group LLC
Canton, Texas
Standard 2025-01-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6648P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Jersey
Standard 2025-01-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8087D Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Ra Aviation Services LLC
Sorrento, Florida
Standard 2025-01-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N182HA Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Turner Company LLC
Hearne, Texas
Standard 2025-01-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7281P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Guardian Peaks Airways LLC
Portland, Oregon
Standard 2025-01-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8644P Piper
PA-24-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 2025-01-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9907C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Blue Marlin LLC
Kalispell, Montana
Standard 2025-01-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8165P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2025-01-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8911W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Monson Horizons INC
Reynolds, Illinois
Standard 2025-01-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9281R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Bmg Aviation Leasing LLC
Bloomington, Indiana
Standard 2025-01-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N696DW Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Delta Whiskey LLC
Huron, South Dakota
Standard 2025-01-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9283W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nebraska
Standard 2025-01-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N747BF Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Mjm Enterprise Holdings LLC
Drexel, Missouri
Standard 2024-12-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8980W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2024-12-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8535N Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2024-12-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N40455 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2024-12-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1699R Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2024-12-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N250GT Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Comanche Golf Tango LLC
Clifton, Virginia
Standard 2024-12-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8313A Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2024-12-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3645W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Dodson International Parts INC
Rantoul, Kansas
Standard 2024-12-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9372W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2024-12-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N301JC Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2024-12-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7203P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Gorge Fast Aviation LLC
Hood River, Oregon
Standard 2024-12-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N757GT Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2024-12-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4920S Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Executive Flyers INC
Sacramento, California
Standard 2024-12-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8866W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2024-12-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9245W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine N9245W Partnership
Lumberton, Mississippi
Standard 2024-12-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
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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.