1979 Cessna 152
FOR SALE

1979 Cessna 152

Single Engine Piston

$70,000
Location Atwater, CA
Total Time 19,863 hrs
Engine SMOH 2,755 hrs
Seats 2
Reg # N5531H
Engine Lycoming O-235
Cruise 100 kts (185 km/h)
ICAO Type C152
✓ Clean NTSB 3 ADs ✓ Verified recently ⚠ High time

Price Comparison 1 active offer

Source Price Action
Xing Kong Aviation
trade-a-plane.com
$70,000

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AeroGurus

AeroGurus Data & Analysis

Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis

About This Cessna 152

This 1979 Cessna 152 (N5531H) is a 2-seat single engine piston with 19,863 hours on the airframe. There are currently 37 152 aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $38,000 to $125,607. This aircraft is priced below the market average at $70,000.

The 152 cruises at 100 kts (185 km/h) with a range of 415 nm (769 km) — ideal for short hops and local flights. Service ceiling of 14,700 ft allows operation above most weather.

Operating costs: Fuel burn is 6.1 GPH (23 L/h), which at current Jet-A prices (~$5.50/gal) means approximately $34/hr in fuel alone. Total variable cost including maintenance reserves is approximately $100/hr. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, crew, annual inspection) average $15,000. With 19,863 hours on the airframe, this aircraft has exceeded TBO (2,400 hrs) — verify engine status and overhaul reserve.

NTSB records show 0 incidents for this airframe — a clean safety record. There are 3 airworthiness directives 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

Safety record: 0 NTSB incidents
Airframe: 19,863 hours — verify engine time vs TBO (2,400 hrs)
Check 3 ADs compliance — mandatory before flight
Budget $92 for pre-purchase inspection

Cessna 152 — Model Specs

Model specification

Standard specs for this model. Actual aircraft may differ.

Seats
2
Cruise Speed
100 kts (185 km/h)
Max Speed
110 kts (204 km/h)
Range
415 nm (769 km)
Ceiling
14,700 ft (4,481 m)
Max Weight
1,670 lbs (758 kg)
Useful Load
528 lbs (240 kg)
Horsepower
110 HP
Fuel Capacity
26 gal (98 L)
Fuel Burn
6.1 GPH (23 L/h)
TBO
2,400 hrs

Estimated Cost of Ownership

AeroGurus estimate

CESSNA 152

Fuel Burn
6.1 GPH
~$40/hr
Variable Cost
$100/hr
fuel + mx + reserves
Annual Fixed
$15,000/yr
hangar + insurance + annual
Engine Overhaul
$22,000
every 2,400 hrs

AeroGurus estimates based on industry averages for the CESSNA 152. Actual costs vary by location, usage, maintenance history, and configuration. Not a financial quote.

Ownership & Registration

FAA registration data pending for N5531H.

Location & Ownership

FAA records

Aircraft Location

Atwater, CA

Seller reported 635 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 N5531H against the NTSB accident database.

Airworthiness Directives — Cessna 152

ADs are mandatory safety instructions issued by the FAA. 3 recent ADs found for this aircraft type.

2011-10-09 2011-06-17

Cessna Aircraft Company Models 150, 152, 170, 172, 175, 177, 180, 182, 185, 188, 190, 195, 206, 207, 210, T303, 336, and 337 Airplanes

View full AD →
2009-10-09 2009-06-17

Cessna Aircraft Company 150 and 152 Series Airplanes

View full AD →
2000-06-01 2000-05-05

Cessna Aircraft Company 150, 152, 172, 177, 180, 182, 185, 188, 206, 207, 210, and 337 Series Airplanes

View full AD →

Source: FAA Airworthiness Directives database. Showing most recent ADs for this aircraft type.

Service Difficulty Reports — Cessna 152

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

Ignition DAMAGED
2026-01-28

A BAD MAGNETO DROP WAS EXPERIENCED DURING THE GROUND RUN OF THE AIRCRAFT. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RH IGNITION HARNESS LOWER #3 LEAD WAS DEAD.

Ignition DAMAGED
2026-01-15

DURING A GROUND RUN A BAD MAGNETO DROP WAS EXPERIENCED ON THE RH MAGNETO. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RH IGNITION HARNESS #3 LOWER LEAD WAS DEAD.

Ignition MISMANUFACTURED
2025-09-26

PILOT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RH MAGNETO WAS ASSEMBLED INCORRECTLY, CAUSING THE DISTRIBUTOR GEAR BRUSH TO ARC TO THE COIL TAB, RESULTING IN A FAILED MAGNETO.

Ignition MECHANIC ERROR
2025-09-26

AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER RESULTING IN AN UNSCHEDULED LANDING. AFTER THE RH MAGNETO WAS CHANGED IN THE FIELD THE AIRCRAFT RETURNED TO HOME BASE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THE LH MAGNETO WAS REMOVED AND INSPECTED, IT WAS FOUND...

Ignition DAMAGED
2024-08-27

CAM GEAR WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED/SEATED DURING MANUFACTURE, WHICH CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR AND DAMAGE TO THE CAM GEAR DURING ROTATION AGAINST THE DISTRIBUTOR GEAR. THIS WAS THE FIRST 500HR INSPECTION SINCE THE MAGNETO WAS MANUFACTURED.

Ignition DEFECTIVE
2024-06-05

DURING 500HR INTERNAL INSPECTION OF MAGNETO, COIL TAB WAS FOUND TO HAVE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND NOT SYMETRICAL. IT APPEARS THE COIL TAB WAS MACHINE PUNCHED DURING MANUFACTURING AND THE METAL WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED IN THE PUNCH PRESS CAUSING T...

Reciprocating Engine BROKEN
2024-05-30

PILOT IN FLIGHT NOTICED ENGINE RPM TO DROP SIGNIFICANTLY AND THE ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH. PERFORMED INSPECTION OF ENGINE AND NOTED CYLINDER VALVES NOT ACTUATING. REMOVED ENGINE SUMP AND FOUND PORTION OF CAMSHAFT IDLER GEAR IN SUMP. REMOVED ACCESSORY ...

Reciprocating Engine WORN
2023-12-14

ALUMINUM SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN THE OIL FILTER DURING 100HR INSPECTION. FOUND THIS TO BE A RESULT OF ALL PISTON PIN PLUGS BEING WORN ON ALL OF THE CYLINDERS AND THE CYLINDER WALLS HAVING A “RIDGE” AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RING TRAVEL.

Reciprocating Engine WORN
2023-12-11

ALUMINUM SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN THE OIL FILTER DURING 100HR INSPECTION. FOUND THIS TO BE A RESULT OF ALL PISTON PIN PLUGS BEING WORN ON ALL OF THE CYLINDERS AND THE CYLINDER WALLS HAVING A “RIDGE” AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RING TRAVEL.

Reciprocating Engine WORN
2023-12-07

ALUMINUM SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN THE OIL FILTER DURING 100HR INSPECTION. FOUND THIS TO BE A RESULT OF BOTH PISTON PIN PLUGS BEING WORN ON #1 CYLINDER AND THE CYLINDER WALL HAVING A “RIDGE” AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RING TRAVEL.

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.