1978 Cessna 172N
Single Engine Piston
Aircraft Details
Seller reportedAvionics & Equipment
IFRAvionics/Radios: Garmin GMA-340 Audio Panel King KLN-89B GPS Garmin 255 Digital Nav/Com Sperry RT-385A Digital Nav/Com Garmin GTX-327 Transponder King KNS-80 RNAV/DME/VOR Additional Equipment: Strobe Lights Position Lights Landing Light Beacon Light Pitot Heat Music Inputs
Description
1978 CESSNA 172N SKYHAWK For Sale in Auburn, Alabama Outstanding Value 172N- Garmin GMA-340, Garmin GTR-255 Nav/Com, Garmin GTX-327, Dual Glideslopes, GPS, POWER FLOW Exhaust, Based in Central Alabama March Annual- Call Exclusive Listing Broker Scott MacDonald Aircraft Sales TOLL FREE
Engine
1106SMOH Current Compressions 76 78 80 78 Overhauled by Precision Aircraft Services, Inc. 2007
Interior
Gray and Black Leatherette, with Matching Side Panels and Rubber Flooring.
Exterior
White with Light Brown and Blue and Red accents
Inspection
March Annual. Logs Available, Please Call our office TOLL FREE , we will be delighted to provide the records. Specifications and/or descriptions are provided as introductory information. They do not constitute representations or warranties of Scott MacDonald Aircraft Sales, Inc. Accordingly; you should rely on your own inspection of the aircraft. The offer for sale of this aircraft is subject to contract and the aircraft may at any time be withdrawn from the market without prior notice. Specification is subject to verification by the purchaser
Modifications / STCs
• Strobe Lights
• Position Lights
• Landing Light
• Beacon Light
• Pitot Heat
• Music Inputs
Description and equipment details provided by the seller. AeroGurus does not verify seller-provided information.
Price Comparison Listed on multiple marketplaces
| Source | Price | Location | Listed | Days on Market | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Scott MacDonald Aircraft Sales
trade-a-plane.com
|
$119,000
|
Auburn, AL | Mar 20, 2026 | 120 days | Active | |
|
Scott MacDonald Aircraft Sales
controller.com
|
$119,000
|
Auburn, AL | Mar 25, 2026 | 114 days | Active | |
|
Scott MacDonald Aircraft Sales
aviationtrader.com.au
|
$122,703
|
Auburn, AL | Apr 04, 2026 | 104 days | Active | |
|
Scott MacDonald Aircraft Sales
controlleremea.co.uk
|
$120,892 *
GBP £89,967
|
Auburn, AL | Apr 04, 2026 | 104 days | Active |
* Converted to USD at daily European Central Bank (ECB) exchange rates
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AeroGurus Data & Analysis
Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis
About This Cessna 172N
This 1978 Cessna 172N (N5435E) is a 4-seat single engine piston with 9,533 hours on the airframe. There are currently 64 172N aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $64,000 to $259,000. This aircraft is priced below the market average at $119,000.
The 172N cruises at 122 kts (226 km/h) with a range of 585 nm (1,083 km) — ideal for short hops and local flights. Service ceiling of 14,000 ft allows operation above most weather.
Operating costs: Fuel burn is 8.5 GPH (32 L/h), which at current 100LL avgas prices (~$6.20/gal) means approximately $53/hr in fuel alone. With 9,533 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. There are 1 airworthiness directive applicable to this aircraft type — review AD compliance carefully before purchase. Mechanics have filed 10 service difficulty reports for this type — common maintenance items to discuss during pre-buy.
Pre-Purchase Checklist
Cessna 172N — Model Specs
Model specificationStandard specs for this model. Actual aircraft may differ.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
AeroGurus estimateCESSNA 172 O-320 160hp
AeroGurus estimates based on industry averages for the CESSNA 172 O-320 160hp. Actual costs vary by location, usage, maintenance history, and configuration. Not a financial quote.
Ownership & Registration
FAA registration data pending for N5435E.
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 N5435E against the NTSB accident database.
Airworthiness Directives — Cessna 172N
ADs are mandatory safety instructions issued by the FAA. 1 recent AD found for this aircraft type.
Cessna Aircraft Company Models 172N, 172P, R172K, 172RG, F172N, F172P, FR172J, and FR172K Airplanes
View full AD →Source: FAA Airworthiness Directives database. Showing most recent ADs for this aircraft type.
Service Difficulty Reports — Cessna 172N
SDRs are reports filed by mechanics about problems found during maintenance. 10 recent reports for this aircraft type.
EXHAUST VALVE FAILED DUE TO HEAT STRESS, CAUSING LOW COMPRESSION, LOW ENGINE SPEED AND ENGINE VIBRATIONS WHILE AT CRUISE.
WHILE ON APPROACH TO LAND AT KXBP BASE TO FINAL, THE CFII AND HER STUDENT HEARD A POP IN THE AIRFRAME. THEY NOTICED THE LEFT FLAP WAS "FLAPPING" A LITTLE AND DIDN'T SEEM TO BE SECURED IN THE PROPER CONFIGURATION COMPARED TO THE RH SIDE. THE CFII TO...
CASE CRACKED AT TOP BASE OF #2 CYLINDER, LEAKING OIL
NEW TUBE HAD A SLOW LEAK WHERE STEM REINFORCEMENT PATCH AND MANUFACTURE SEAM INTERSECTED. NOTE: THIS TUBE WAS BRAND NEW AND WAS NEVER ENTERED INTO SERVICE. THE TUBE WAS ALSO NOT A PART OF ANY PRE-ASSEMBLED ASSEMBLY.
L/H FLAP BINDING, CAUSING DAMAGE TO L/H FLAP & L/H FLAP DRIVE PULLEY. REPLACED DAMAGED PARTS
FOUND BOTH AILERON CABLES P/N MC0510105-324 FRAYED AT OUTBOARD PULLEY. AILERON CABLES TSN: 2973.9
OFF FLAG INOPERATIVE, FLAG DOES NOT PULL.
DURING SB388C, EXHAUST VALVE GUIDE INSPECTION FOUND 4EA PUSH RODS P/N 15F28835-10 & 4EA ROCKERS P/N 17F19357 TO HAVE HEAVY SCUFF - SCORING. ENGINE TT: 2741.1 SINCE FACTORY REBUILT.
VOLTAGE REGULATOR FAIL AFTER 66.2 HOURS OF OPERATION. AFTER REMOVAL FROM AIRCRAFT NOTICED TWO PART NUMBER STICKERS OVERLAPPING EACH OTHER. EACH STICKER HAD DIFFERENT SERIAL NUMBERS TOP S/N 80Y66728 BOTTOM 80X66735
WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT ACFT EXPERIENCED AND ENGINE STOPPAGE IN FLIGHT. ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH BRIEFLY FOLLOWED BY COMPLETE STOPPAGE. UPON VISUAL EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE MAGNETO IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT NEITHER SET OF POINTS WERE BEING OPENED BY...
Source: FAA Service Difficulty Reporting System. Shows maintenance issues reported by mechanics for this aircraft type.
Price History
Price vs Typical Asking Range
This asking price is below the typical asking range for this model, roughly $119,450–$159,618.
Based on current asking prices for comparable listings — asking prices only, not an appraisal or sale price.
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