The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Engines · piston (reciprocating) · data as of October 7, 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
N521X Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Palmetto Aces Flying Club LLC
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Standard 2024-12-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8654W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2024-12-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9KD Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Louisiana
Standard 2024-12-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N224AC Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2024-12-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6000T Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2024-12-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N909VL Britten-Norman
BN-2A
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Blue Waters Air Charters LLC
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Standard 2024-12-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7792P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Jersey
Standard 2024-12-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5275R Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2024-12-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7125P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2024-11-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4547X Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Bike Aviation LLC
Mason City, Iowa
Standard 2024-11-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7716Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Big Aerial Sign Service LLC
Delano, Minnesota
Restricted 2024-11-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3665C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine N3665C LLC
Otsego, Minnesota
Standard 2024-11-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N842MM Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine 43 Northstar LLC
Dodgeville, Wisconsin
Standard 2024-11-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6630P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2024-11-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N14RW Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2024-11-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N44TG Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Blue Water Flying Services LLC
Lumberton, Texas
Standard 2024-11-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8210P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Louisiana
Standard 2024-11-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8912W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2024-11-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8511W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2024-11-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8484C Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine
Standard 2024-11-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N11402 Cessna
150L
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
West Virginia
Restricted 2024-11-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8556W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Beans and Cool Dude LLC
Denton, Texas
Standard 2024-11-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756XM Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2024-11-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N678LB Piper
PA-32-300
Fixed-wing, single engine Rgr Aviation LLC
Grapevine, Texas
Standard 2024-11-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N386X Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2024-11-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6879P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Cory Ipc CORP
Indianapolis, Indiana
Standard 2024-11-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6893Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine AG Air Squadron Three LLC
Saint Joseph, Illinois
Restricted 2024-11-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3407W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2024-11-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9232W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2024-11-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7937P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Mr Dent INC
Manheim, Pennsylvania
Standard 2024-11-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N800TG Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Aftg Aviation LLC
Hopkins, Michigan
Standard 2024-11-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9204W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Mcginley Aviation INC
Ocala, Florida
Standard 2024-10-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5126P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 2024-10-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N12BE Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Alaska
Restricted 2024-10-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3571W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Jtw Financail Services
Norfolk, Nebraska
Standard 2024-10-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3945W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine South Bay Aviation INC
Torrance, California
Standard 2024-10-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N406VC Cessna
T182T
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Hawaii
Standard 2024-10-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N18FH Robinson Helicopter
R44 ASTRO
Helicopter Paratus Air INC
Auburn, Indiana
Standard 2024-10-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3445W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
West Virginia
Standard 2024-10-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9018W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Standard 2024-10-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9249E Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Mississippi
Standard 2024-10-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5495P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2024-10-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8194P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2024-10-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9233W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Mount Up Aviation LLC
Kirbyville, Missouri
Standard 2024-10-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7367E Cessna
172N
Fixed-wing, single engine Gregg Flying Service INC
Durango, Colorado
Standard 2024-10-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8263Z Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Louisiana
Standard 2024-10-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N854VL Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Blue Waters Air Charters LLC
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Standard 2024-10-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N56370 Maule
M-5-235C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Utah
Standard 2024-10-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6978P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Jersey
Standard 2024-10-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9286W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Amigos Flight Club LLC
Schertz, Texas
Standard 2024-10-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2631C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2024-10-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8345P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Utah
Standard 2024-10-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N410PJ Peterson Douglas William
VANS RV-10
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Experimental 2024-10-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7317X Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2024-10-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5313P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Southwest Aerial LLC
Bowman, North Dakota
Standard 2024-10-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5750P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2024-10-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6252T Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2024-10-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6533P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2024-10-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N756JP Cessna
TR182
Fixed-wing, single engine Hjs Aviation LLC
Fort Collins, Colorado
Standard 2024-10-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N816WM Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Rent A Copter LLC
Homer Glen, Illinois
Standard 2024-10-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5118P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Illinois
Standard 2024-09-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3036U Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Jersey
Standard 2024-09-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5267S Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Aviation Psych LLC
Neptune Beach, Florida
Standard 2024-09-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3894W Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Elite Fleet Jacksonville LLC
Jacksonville, Florida
Standard 2024-09-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7269P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2024-09-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4563V Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2024-09-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5722P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Crazy 8 Aviation LLC
Ridgecrest, California
Standard 2024-09-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N89CH Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Long Point LLC
Gardner, Massachusetts
Standard 2024-09-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N300MK Robinson Helicopter
R44 ASTRO
Helicopter Agricultural Tours LLC
Kahuku, Hawaii
Standard 2024-09-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2457E Cessna
T182
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2024-09-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N341RA S.O.C.A.T.A.
RALLYE 235E
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2024-09-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4642P Piper
PA-23-250
Fixed-wing, multi-engine Columbus Sign CO
Columbus, Georgia
Standard 2024-09-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8807W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2024-09-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9178C Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2024-09-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N15397 Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2024-09-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5997P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine N5997P LLC
Madison, Alabama
Standard 2024-09-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7350Z Piper
PA-25-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Scott Ts AG Flyin INC
Colquitt, Georgia
Restricted 2024-09-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8257E Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Tv Air LLC
Raleigh, North Carolina
Standard 2024-09-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8510W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kansas
Standard 2024-09-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9615Z Intermountain
CALLAIR A-9
Fixed-wing, single engine Tampa Bay Soaring Society INC
Zephyrhills, Florida
Restricted 2024-09-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N29062 Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
West Virginia
Standard 2024-09-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N968SA Piper
PA-32R-301T
Fixed-wing, single engine 75Tb LLC
Springfield, Tennessee
Standard 2024-09-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N20099 Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2024-09-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N65072 Cessna Ector
305A
Fixed-wing, single engine Jezebel Doghouse LLC
Kalispell, Montana
Standard 2024-09-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7348X Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2024-09-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9212W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2024-09-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7837P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Mobbd LLC
Vero Beach, Florida
Standard 2024-09-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8125P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Irie Lot LLC
Westminster, Colorado
Standard 2024-08-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5181P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2024-08-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6465P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2024-08-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8727W Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Standard 2024-08-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6210T Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Massachusetts
Standard 2024-08-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7697P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2024-08-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8503N Piper
PA-28-235
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2024-08-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N17059 Cessna
R182
Fixed-wing, single engine N79107 LLC
Orrville, Ohio
Standard 2024-08-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5836P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Short Final LLC
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Standard 2024-08-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N932WS Robinson Helicopter
R44
Helicopter Marg Aviation Enterprises LLC
Lawrenceburg, Tennessee
Standard 2024-08-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2085P Piper
PA-28-236
Fixed-wing, single engine Ophelia Aviation LLC
Paradise Valley, Arizona
Standard 2024-08-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N70CK Piper
PA-32-260
Fixed-wing, single engine Albatross Air INC
Beaver, West Virginia
Standard 2024-08-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N8346P Piper
PA-24-250
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Tennessee
Standard 2024-08-23 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 7, 2026. Horsepower and thrust are the FAA's figures for the series, not for a particular aircraft.