1978 Cessna 172N
Single Engine Piston
Aircraft Details
Seller reportedDescription
1978 Cessna 172N Skyhawk - N6778E - Clean, Well-Maintained Classic! Low-time airframe for its age with fresh-overhaul engine hours remaining. Excellent flyer, ready for training, personal use, or building time. Hangar-kept and beautifully presented in a sharp white over blue and gold accent stripe paint scheme (see photos). Recent photos show a clean exterior with no obvious corrosion or damage history. Key Specifications: • Total Time Airframe (TTAF): 4,758.9 hours • Engine: Lycoming O-320-H2AD • Time Since Major Overhaul (TSMOH): 1,338.6 hours (plenty of life left on the 2,000-hour TBO) • Propeller: Standard 2-blade (times available upon request) • Useful Load: Approximately 850-900 lbs (typical for this model - confirm with current weight balance) Avionics Equipment: • Classic analog six-pack IFR panel in excellent condition (attitude indicator, directional gyro, turn coordinator, altimeter, airspeed, VSI) • Wing-leveling autopilot • Dual NAV/COM radios (Narco/King stack) • Marker beacon receiver • ADF • EGT gauge and standard engine instruments • Standard lighting, strobes, and basic intercom Airframe Interior: • Original 1978 172N configuration with the desirable O-320-H2AD engine • Comfortable 4-place blue/tan interior in good shape • Long-range fuel tanks • Complete logs (no known damage history) • Fresh annual This is a solid, no-surprises Skyhawk that looks and flies great. The mid-time engine, low total airframe hours (for a 48-year-old aircraft), and functional avionics make it a fantastic value in today's market. Perfect for flight schools, rental fleets, or the private owner who wants a reliable, easy-to-fly Cessna. Serious inquiries only - pre-buy inspection and test flight strongly encouraged. Located in Ironwood MI (IWD). Logbooks, maintenance records, and additional photos available upon request. Contact me for details or to schedule a look! Would make a great addition to any hangar. Fly it home today! ✈️
Description and equipment details provided by the seller. AeroGurus does not verify seller-provided information.
Price Comparison
| Source | Price | Location | Listed | Days on Market | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bradley Belmas
trade-a-plane.com
|
$119,000
|
Ironwood, MI | Apr 23, 2026 | 86 days | Active |
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AeroGurus Data & Analysis
Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis
About This Cessna 172N
This 1978 Cessna 172N (N6778E) is a 4-seat single engine piston with 4,759 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 4,759 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 N6778E.
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 N6778E 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 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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