1976 Cessna 172M for sale

1976 Cessna 172M

Single Engine Piston

FOR SALE
$299,000
Location Van Nuys, CA
Total Time 6,394 hrs
Engine SMOH 480 hrs
Seats 4
Serial # 17266866
Reg # N1137U
Engine Continental O-300
Cruise 122 kts (226 km/h)
ICAO Type C172
✓ Clean NTSB ✓ Verified recently ⚠ High time

Aircraft Details

Seller reported

Description

For Sale - 1976 Cessna 172M Skyhawk - Tail Number N1137U (LogBooks Available) Send Inquiries to Alex! Email: An exceptional opportunity to own a classic and highly respected general aviation aircraft - N1137U, a 1976 Cessna 172M Skyhawk, ideally suited for training, cross‑country flying, recreational flying, or adding to an aircraft portfolio. Aircraft Highlights: Model: Cessna 172M Skyhawk Year of Manufacture: 1976 Registration: N1137U - current and valid FAA registration through 2030. Serial Number: 17266866 Category: Single‑engine, four‑seat, fixed‑wing piston aircraft Equipped with a Lycoming O‑320 series engine - a workhorse platform known for durability and parts accessibility. Performance Utility: The Cessna 172 is globally recognized as one of the most versatile and reliable light aircraft ever built, used widely for private ownership, flight training, touring, and utility missions. Stable, forgiving flight characteristics make it ideal for pilots of all experience levels. Whether you're adding to your hangar fleet, upgrading from a trainer aircraft, or seeking an affordable long‑term personal aircraft, N1137U is a solid choice with a classic pedigree and operational flexibility.

Description and equipment details provided by the seller. AeroGurus does not verify seller-provided information.

Price Comparison 1 active offer

Source Price Action
James Raffini
trade-a-plane.com
$299,000

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Cessna 172M loan calculator

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AeroGurus Data & Analysis

Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis

About This Cessna 172M

This 1976 Cessna 172M (N1137U) is a 4-seat single engine piston with 6,394 hours on the airframe. There are currently 42 172M aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $59,819 to $299,000. This aircraft is priced above the market average at $299,000.

The 172M cruises at 122 kts (226 km/h) with a range of 640 nm (1,185 km) — ideal for short hops and local flights. Service ceiling of 14,000 ft allows operation above most weather.

Operating costs: Fuel burn is 8.6 GPH (33 L/h), which at current Jet-A prices (~$5.50/gal) means approximately $47/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 6,394 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

Safety record: 0 NTSB incidents
Airframe: 6,394 hours — verify engine time vs TBO (2,000 hrs)
Budget $129 for pre-purchase inspection

Cessna 172M — Model Specs

Model specification

Standard specs for this model. Actual aircraft may differ.

Seats
4
Cruise Speed
122 kts (226 km/h)
Max Speed
124 kts (230 km/h)
Range
640 nm (1,185 km)
Ceiling
14,000 ft (4,267 m)
Max Weight
2,550 lbs (1,157 kg)
Useful Load
878 lbs (398 kg)
Horsepower
180 HP
Fuel Capacity
56 gal (212 L)
Fuel Burn
8.6 GPH (33 L/h)
TBO
2,000 hrs

Estimated Cost of Ownership

AeroGurus estimate

CESSNA 172

Fuel Burn
8.6 GPH
~$56/hr
Variable Cost
$130/hr
fuel + mx + reserves
Annual Fixed
$18,000/yr
hangar + insurance + annual
Engine Overhaul
$30,000
every 2,000 hrs

AeroGurus estimates based on industry averages for the CESSNA 172. Actual costs vary by location, usage, maintenance history, and configuration. Not a financial quote.

Ownership & Registration

FAA registration data pending for N1137U.

Location & Ownership

FAA records

Aircraft Location

Van Nuys, CA

Seller reported 744 more aircraft in CA →

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 N1137U against the NTSB accident database.

Service Difficulty Reports — Cessna 172M

SDRs are reports filed by mechanics about problems found during maintenance. 10 recent reports for this aircraft type.

Reciprocating Engine CRACKED
2026-03-05

POSITION # 1 &2 CYLINDER EXHAUST PORT CRACK FROM THE INBOARD EXHAUST STUD EXTENDING TO THE BACK OF THE PORT. CRACK VISIBLE THROUGH THE FINS. SUPERIOR CYLINDERS PN: SL32006W-A1 SERIAL NUMBER 326W000003625 & 326W000003623.

Fuselage BROKEN
2025-10-17

STATIC CONDENSATION BULB P/N S-1258-1 FOUND SEPARATED FROM AN 1/8 PIPE BY PIPE 90 DEGREE FITTING. THESE CONDENSATION BULBS ARE OF VERY CHEAP PLASTIC AND ARE FAMOUS FOR LEAKING RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO OTHER PART OF BETTER QUALITY. I...

Electrical Power CHAFED
2025-09-28

THE BATTERY BOX FOR THE LEAD ACID BATTERY INTERFERES WITH THE LEFT MAGNETO HARNESS AND CHAFES THE HARNESS LEADS OVER TIME. THE INBOARD , FORWARD CORNER IS THE POINT OF CONTACT. I HAVE SEEN THIS SITUATION IN MANY 172S. ELECTRONIC MAGNETOS LIKE THE SUR...

Power Plant CRACKED
2025-06-26

ON APPROACH CARBURETOR HEAT WAS APPLIED AND THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER BUT DID NOT STOP RUNNING. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO DE-SELECT THE CARBURETOR HEAT AND THE LOSS OF POWER PERSISTED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT 2300 FEET MSL AND 2 NM FROM THE RUNWA...

Engine Fuel/Control LOOSE
2025-02-08

ACFT RETURNED TO BASE DUE TO VIBRATION AT 300FT ON 2/8/25. PILOT REPORTED ENGINE STARTED SHAKING SIGNIFICANTLY. HE PULLED CARB HEAT HOT SAW NO CHANGE. TOLD TOWER HE WAS LANDING. CARB HEAT SYSTEM WAS INSPECTED WITH NO DEFECTS FOUND. CARB WAS REPLA...

Ignition WORN
2024-08-13

REMOVED AND REPLACED RH MAGNETO DUE TO 500 HOUR OVERHAUL LIMIT. NEW MAGNETO INSTALLED FOR 78.2 HOURS BEFORE A FLIGHT WAS CANCELLED DUE TO EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND HIGH MAG DROP ON RH SIDE AT PRE-RUN. ATTEMPTED TO TIME RH MAGNETO TO ENGINE. POINTS APPE...

Reciprocating Engine CRACKED
2024-03-26

TOTAL INTERNAL CRANKSHAFT FAILURE AT CHEEK BETWEEN #3 AND #4 CONNECTING ROD JOURNALS CAUSING CRANKCASE TO COMPLETELY SEPARATE IN THE CENTER. CRACK APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED IN THE REAR THRUST RADIUS OF #3 CONNECTING ROD JOURNAL. PILOT HAD REPORTED ...

Reciprocating Engine DAMAGED
2023-11-09

DURING INSPECTION FOR ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE, PERFORMED SB388C (EXHAUST VALVE GUIDE INSPECTION) & FOUND 3EA ROCKER ARMS P/N 17F19357 & 3EA PUSH RODS P/N 15F19957-10 WITH MECHANICAL DAMAGE (HEAVY SCUFF - SCORING). ROCKER ARMS & PUSH RODS TSN: 147.9. PRE...

Reciprocating Engine DAMAGED
2023-10-19

LYCOMING FACTORY OVERHAULED O-320-D2J, S/N L-17060-39E. DURING ROUTINE MX, SB388C (EXHAUST VALVE GUIDE INSP.) FOUND 4EA PUSH RODS P/N 15F28835-10, 2EA PUSH RODS P/N 15F28835-09, 6EA ROCKER ARMS P/N17F19357, 6EA SOCKETS P/N 15B21319 & 6EA LIFTERS P/N ...

Reciprocating Engine DAMAGED
2023-10-18

LYCOMING FACTORY REBUILT - O-320-D2J, S/N RL-20892-39E. DURING ROUTINE MX. SB388C (EXHAUST VALVE GUIDE INSPECTION) FOUND 3EA HYDRUALIC TAPPETS P/N 15B21319, 3EA HYDRAULIC LIFTERS P/N 15B26066, 3EA ROCKER ARMS P/N 17F19357, 2EA PUSH RODS P/N 15F28835-...

Source: FAA Service Difficulty Reporting System. Shows maintenance issues reported by mechanics for this aircraft type.

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Prices and listings updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data
Disclaimer: All prices, cost estimates, and market values shown are based on asking prices from third-party sources and are provided for informational purposes only. AeroGurus is not an appraiser, broker, or financial advisor. Always obtain a professional appraisal and independent inspection before making a purchase decision. Actual transaction prices may differ from asking prices.