1979 Cessna 172N for sale

1979 Cessna 172N

Single Engine Piston

FOR SALE
$200,000above typical asking range
Location livermore, CA
Total Time 4,700 hrs
Engine SMOH 900 hrs
Seats 4
Serial # 17272371
Reg # N4841D
Engine LYCOMING O-320-H2AD/D2J
Cruise 122 kts (226 km/h)
✓ Clean NTSB 1 AD ✓ Verified recently

Aircraft Details

Seller reported

Description

Turnkey, IFR-Certified Cessna 172N Skyhawk: Looking for a reliable time-builder, instrument trainer, or personal cross-country machine? This exceptionally clean Skyhawk is the definition of a "turnkey" aircraft, having been flown regularly to keep the engine active, oil circulating, and all systems at peak operating condition to prevent the typical moisture and corrosion issues found in sitting planes. The Lycoming O-320 engine runs incredibly strong with excellent compressions, backed by meticulous maintenance and regular oil changes. Fully IFR certified and current (91.411 91.413), the panel features a Garmin GNS 430 along with full ADS-B Out compliance, making it an ideal platform for confident IMC flight or instrument training. Complete, continuous, and original logbooks since day one show no major damage history, and the aircraft has been meticulously cared for with clean paint and a comfortable, intact interior. This healthy, active 172N needs nothing but a new pilot to take the controls and is ready for your pre-buy inspection. Serious inquiries only

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

Price Comparison

Source Price Action
Listing Source
trade-a-plane.com
$200,000

Estimate Monthly Payment

Cessna 172N loan calculator

AeroGurus

AeroGurus Data & Analysis

Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis

About This Cessna 172N

This 1979 Cessna 172N (N4841D) is a 4-seat single engine piston with 4,700 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 above the market average at $200,000.

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 4,700 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

Safety record: 0 NTSB incidents
Airframe: 4,700 hours — verify engine time vs TBO (2,000 hrs)
Check 1 AD compliance — mandatory before flight
Budget $128 for pre-purchase inspection

Cessna 172N — Model Specs

Model specification

Standard specs for this model. Actual aircraft may differ.

Seats
4
Cruise Speed
122 kts (226 km/h)
Max Speed
125 kts (232 km/h)
Range
585 nm (1,083 km)
Ceiling
14,000 ft (4,267 m)
Max Weight
2,400 lbs (1,089 kg)
Useful Load
880 lbs (399 kg)
Horsepower
160 HP
Fuel Capacity
43 gal (163 L)
Fuel Burn
8.5 GPH (32 L/h)
TBO
2,000 hrs

Estimated Cost of Ownership

AeroGurus estimate

CESSNA 172 O-320 160hp

Fuel Burn
8.5 GPH
~$55/hr

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 N4841D.

Location & Ownership

FAA records

Aircraft Location

livermore, CA

Seller reported 841 more aircraft in California →

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 N4841D 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.

2001-23-03 2001-12-27

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.

Reciprocating Engine FAILED
2025-10-10

EXHAUST VALVE FAILED DUE TO HEAT STRESS, CAUSING LOW COMPRESSION, LOW ENGINE SPEED AND ENGINE VIBRATIONS WHILE AT CRUISE.

Flight Controls BROKEN
2025-09-02

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...

Reciprocating Engine CRACKED
2025-06-18

CASE CRACKED AT TOP BASE OF #2 CYLINDER, LEAKING OIL

Landing Gear DEFLATED
2025-04-15

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.

Flight Controls DAMAGED
2024-09-12

L/H FLAP BINDING, CAUSING DAMAGE TO L/H FLAP & L/H FLAP DRIVE PULLEY. REPLACED DAMAGED PARTS

Flight Controls FRAYED
2024-09-09

FOUND BOTH AILERON CABLES P/N MC0510105-324 FRAYED AT OUTBOARD PULLEY. AILERON CABLES TSN: 2973.9

Navigation INOPERATIVE
2024-03-21

OFF FLAG INOPERATIVE, FLAG DOES NOT PULL.

Reciprocating Engine DAMAGED
2023-12-16

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.

Electrical Power FAILED
2023-12-14

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

Ignition FAILED
2023-09-30

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 above the typical asking range for this model, roughly $115,765–$160,677.

Based on current asking prices for comparable listings — asking prices only, not an appraisal or sale price.

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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.