1951 Cessna 170A
Single Engine Piston
Aircraft Details
Seller reportedAvionics & Equipment
VFRas well as a modern ADS-B compliant transponder (Appareo Stratus ESG) and Garmin GTR 225 radio. Original Vacuum Instruments have been replaced with motorized gyros in 2021.
Description
This Cessna 170A model is a great trainer for tailwheel pilots looking to improve their stick and rudder skills. With a 625lbs useful load completely-filled with fuel and oil, as well as an effective range of over 4 hours, this aircraft is great for solo and couple adventures, and can even accommodate small families.
Engine
Engine Model: Continental C-145-2 Year: 1948 TT: 1993 Hours TSMO: 583 Hours Compression: 77/73/74/74/71/60 Prop Model: McCauley 1A170/DM7655 TSMO: 165 Hours
Propeller
There are no changes to the original 170A air frame design for this aircraft. The wings feature the old style "barn door" flaps, and are completely metal. Airframe has been treated with Corrosion X resistant coating in 2025. Last Inspection: 10/1/2025 TT: 3908 Hours
Interior
Interior layout matches the original design, with no significant modifications. Carpets and upholstery are in acceptable condition, with no significant defects (6/10).
Description and equipment details provided by the seller. AeroGurus does not verify seller-provided information.
Price Comparison 1 active offer
| Source | Price | Location | Listed | Days on Market | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Colton Caramihalis
trade-a-plane.com
|
$70,000
|
Sanford, ME | Jun 08, 2026 | — | Active |
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AeroGurus Data & Analysis
Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis
About This Cessna 170A
This 1951 Cessna 170A (1401D) is a 4-seat single engine piston with 3,908 hours on the airframe. There are currently 2 170A aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $70,000 to $106,900. This aircraft is priced below the market average at $70,000.
The 170A cruises at 105 kts (194 km/h) with a range of 500 nm (926 km) — ideal for short hops and local flights.
Operating costs: Fuel burn is 9 GPH (34 L/h), which at current Jet-A prices (~$5.50/gal) means approximately $50/hr in fuel alone. Total variable cost including maintenance reserves is approximately $130/hr. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, crew, annual inspection) average $18,000. With 3,908 hours on the airframe, this aircraft has exceeded TBO (2,000 hrs) — verify engine status and overhaul reserve.
NTSB records show 0 incidents for this airframe — a clean safety record. Mechanics have filed 10 service difficulty reports for this type — common maintenance items to discuss during pre-buy.
Pre-Purchase Checklist
Cessna 170A — Model Specs
Model specificationStandard specs for this model. Actual aircraft may differ.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
AeroGurus estimateCESSNA 170
AeroGurus estimates based on industry averages for the CESSNA 170. Actual costs vary by location, usage, maintenance history, and configuration. Not a financial quote.
Ownership & Registration
FAA registry covers US-registered aircraft (N-numbers).
This aircraft (1401D) is registered outside the US.
Location & Ownership
Title Status
No FAA title records
Available for US-registered aircraft only
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry, FAA Civil Aviation Registry (DocIndex). Title data may be delayed. Always verify with an aviation attorney before purchase.
Safety Record
NTSB safety data coming soon.
We'll check 1401D against the NTSB accident database.
Service Difficulty Reports — Cessna 170A
SDRs are reports filed by mechanics about problems found during maintenance. 10 recent reports for this aircraft type.
CABLE BROKE AFT OF REAR PULLEY AND BULKHEAD. NO INSPECTION HOLES IN THIS AREA. (K)
NOSE LANDING GEAR LEG BROKEN AT FORWARD WELD ON SHOCK ABSORBER ATTACHMENT BRACKET. EXISTING INTERNAL CRACK. PROBABLE CAUSE, BAD WELD. (K)
LT MAIN GEAR WHEEL AXLE BROKE BETWEEN GEAR LEG AND WHEEL RACE. (GL11200505686) (K)
(CAN) UPON INSPECTION SEVERE CORROSION IN HUB CAVITY AND IN MOUNTING BORE. DIMENSIONS AT MINIMUM BEFORE REWORK. PROPELLER IS UNSERVICEABLE.
(CAN) LT UPPER ENGINE MOUNT BRACKET AFT OF FIREWALL EXTREME CORROSION (HALF OF BRACKET MISSING) VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE DUE TO INSULATION COVERING ON FIREWALL.
AIRCRAFT SUFFERED A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE HYDRAULIC LIFTER BODY ON THE NR 5 CYLINDER HAD BROKEN.
RUDDER PEDALS WERE REMOVED TO FACILITATE OTHER MAINTENANCE. UPON REMOVAL, FOUND PEDAL ATTACH HOLES SEVERELY ELONGATED. TO REPAIR, A .125 INCH DOUBLER OF 6061-T6 WAS USED ON EACH SIDE OF THE PEDAL AS THE PEDAL PIN WAS JUST LONG ENOUGH TO ACCOMODATE ...
DURING ANNUAL INSPECTION FOUND HEAVY RUST ON ENDS OF BATTERY PACK WHERE TERMINALS AND CONNECTING BUSS BARS ARE SOLDERED. CORROSION WAS NOT VISIBLE UNTIL PACK WAS DISASSEMBLED (RENDERING IT NOT USABLE) BECAUSE CARDBOARD WAS GLUED OVER ENDS THEN WHOLE...
TAIL WHEEL SEPARATED FROM AIRCRAFT. INVESTIGATION FOUND ASSY HAD SEPARATED DUE TO BROKEN BOLT. BOLT HAD BEEN DYE CHECKED AT LAST ANNUAL DUE TO REPORT OF ANOTHER AIRCRAFT WITH BROKEN BOLT. THE BOLT CRACK DID NOT SHOW UP ON A DYE CHECK. SUBMITTER R...
ONE-PIECE VENTURI INSTALLED TO COMPLY WITH AD 93-18-03. AFTER INSTALLATION, AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT RUN SMOOTHLY, FUEL CONSUMPTION INCREASED ABOUT ONE AND ONE-HALF GALLONS PER HOUR. SUBMITTER STATED THAT THE AD SHOULD HAVE BEEN A MANDITORY INSPECTION AT...
Source: FAA Service Difficulty Reporting System. Shows maintenance issues reported by mechanics for this aircraft type.
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