Cessna 172K Aircraft 1970s

Pre-1980 piston singles are heritage airframes that have typically been rebuilt and refurbished multiple times — original avionics replaced with modern Garmin or Avidyne panels, engines on at least one mid-time overhaul cycle, interiors refreshed once or twice. Pre-buy focus: airframe corrosion (especially wing carry-through, tail, gear), AD compliance history, log-book continuity, engine cylinder borescope. Heritage value can be meaningful for original aircraft in restored condition.

← Cessna 172 family

The Cessna 172K (1969-1970) is an early Lycoming-powered Skyhawk - the clean O-320-E2D 150-hp engine in an affordable early-1970s four-seat single.

Cessna 172K aircraft for sale

4 used Cessna 172K aircraft for sale 1970s · 4-seat · Reference price ~$105,000 ($65,000–$170,000) · updated 11 hours ago

Cessna 172K Specifications

Model spec

The Cessna 172K is a 4-seat single engine piston with a cruise speed of 114–140 kt (211–259 km/h), a range of 518–720 nm (959–1,333 km), and a useful load of 850–1,010 lbs (386–458 kg).

Performance
Cruise114–140 kt (211–259 km/h)
Max Speed120–145 kt (222–269 km/h)
Range518–720 nm (959–1,333 km)
Service Ceiling13,000–17,000 ft (3,962–5,182 m)
Engine & Fuel
EngineLYCOMING O-320-E2D
Horsepower145–195 HP
Fuel Capacity36.0–66.0 gal (136–250 L)
Fuel Burn8.0–11.0 GPH (30–42 L/h)
TBO1,400–2,000 hrs
Weights & Seats
Seats4
Max Gross Weight2,300–2,650 lbs (1,043–1,202 kg)
Useful Load850–1,010 lbs (386–458 kg)
Production1969–1971

Cessna 172K for Sale

Cessna 172K asking prices range from $119,950 to $135,000, with a median of $127,475 (market reference $105,000).

1970 Cessna 172K

1970 Cessna 172K for sale within typical asking range
$119,950
For Sale
Total Time 2,767
Reg# N84408 US
Location CA
Via American Aircraft Sales Co.
Multiple sources

1970 Cessna 172K

1970 Cessna 172K for sale within typical asking range
$135,000
For Sale
Total Time 4,485
Reg# N7234G US
Location Juneau, AK
Via Sierra Foxtrot Aviation

1977 Cessna 172K

1977 Cessna 172K for sale
Contact for Price
On Request
Total Time 4,600
Reg# N78808 US
Location Lakeland
Via airborne Contact
Listed 2mo ago

1970 Cessna 172K

1970 Cessna 172K for sale
Contact for Price
On Request
Total Time 3,306
Reg# D-ECMN Germany
Via Salaheddine Eido
Multiple sources
Listed 1mo ago

Cessna 172K Variants

Variant Years Seats Cruise Range Useful load Price range Best for Listings for sale
172 1956–now 4 118 kts (219 km/h) 518 nm (959 km) 878 lbs (398 kg) $18K – $395K Choose the fixed-gear 172 for the most affordable, best-supported and easiest-to-insure four-seat single — the standard trainer and touring aircraft worldwide. Choose the 172RG Cutlass for retractable-gear speed and complex-aircraft time-building. Choose the R172 Hawk XP for extra power and useful load over the standard 172. 15
172G 1966–1966 4 114 kts (211 km/h) 575 nm (1,065 km) 850 lbs (386 kg) — Choose the 172G for the lowest-cost entry into the Skyhawk family, accepting the O-300's narrower support for classic character. 3
172L 1971–1972 4 122 kts (226 km/h) 640 nm (1,185 km) 878 lbs (398 kg) $79K – $179K An early-1970s Skyhawk — an affordable, well-supported four-seat high-wing trainer and tourer. 11
172M 1973–1976 4 122 kts (226 km/h) 580 nm (1,074 km) 900 lbs (408 kg) — Choose the 172M for a clean O-320-E2D Skyhawk without the 172N's early-engine AD complications, at lower cost than the youngest 172P. 3
172N 1976–1980 4 122 kts (226 km/h) 640 nm (1,185 km) 878 lbs (398 kg) — A late-1970s Skyhawk — a high-volume, low-cost four-seat trainer and tourer that is one of the most common used 172s. 1
R172 Hawk XP 1977–1983 4 129 kts (239 km/h) 569 nm (1,054 km) 1,010 lbs (458 kg) $92K – $255K Buy the R172 Hawk XP if you want a Skyhawk with real muscle — 195 hp for stronger climb, short-field and float performance than any standard 172. Consider a standard 172 for the lowest running cost and the deepest support network, or a 182 if you need four full seats with baggage. 26
172RG 1980–1985 4 140 kts (259 km/h) 720 nm (1,333 km) 950 lbs (431 kg) $55K – $221K Buy the 172RG Cutlass if you want an affordable complex single for the retractable and complex endorsement or for time-building. Consider a fixed-gear 172 if you want the lowest maintenance and insurance, or a 182 if straightforward cross-country hauling matters more than complex-aircraft experience. 28
172P 1981–1985 4 122 kts (226 km/h) 640 nm (1,185 km) 878 lbs (398 kg) $102K – $324K A common early-1980s Skyhawk — a low-cost, well-supported four-seat high-wing trainer and tourer. 15
172R 1996–2007 4 120 kts (222 km/h) 520 nm (963 km) 878 lbs (398 kg) $169K – $240K A modern fuel-injected Skyhawk — a four-seat high-wing trainer and tourer just below the 172S in the current-generation line. 10
172S 1998–now 4 124 kts (230 km/h) 518 nm (959 km) 878 lbs (398 kg) $207K – $539K The current-production, fuel-injected Skyhawk — the newest four-seat high-wing trainer to buy if you want a glass-panel, in-production 172. 25

Compare Cessna 172K

Detailed comparisons for the Cessna 172K are being prepared.

Browse all Cessna models →

Cessna 172K Price & Cost

How much does a Cessna 172K cost? Used 172K prices: $119K – $135K, average $127K (median $127K); market reference $105K, across 2 priced of 4 active listings.

Cessna 172K Price Guide

Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.

Cessna 172K Cost of Ownership estimate
Fuel (8.0 GPH × $6.20, 100 hrs)$4,960/yr
Annual Fixed (hangar, insurance, annual)$18,000/yr
Variable (per hour)$130/hr
Engine Overhaul (every 2,000 hrs)$30,000
Estimates at 100 flight hours/year. Actual costs vary by usage, location and insurance.

The 172K's Lycoming O-320-E2D burns around 8-8.5 gph with a large parts network and moderate, well-understood overhaul cost - easier to support than the earlier Continental O-300 172s. Fixed gear keeps airframe maintenance simple. As a 50-plus-year-old airframe, budget one-time reconditioning (hoses, cables, fuel system) at acquisition; ongoing costs afterward are among the lowest in the four-seat certificated fleet.

Cessna 172K Value by Model Year

Median asking price by year of manufacture. Newer airframes command a premium; value falls with age then plateaus on older models.

$590K $389K $188K
$230K
$215K
$188K
$200K
$292K
$310K
$325K
$316K
$590K
’97
’99
’01
’06
’19

Lowest around $188,475 (1999 models) · highest around $589,500 (2019). Bars scaled across the range to show the depreciation curve; hover for exact medians.

Buying guides: Buyer's Guide | Financing Guide | Pre-Buy Inspection

Buying a Used Cessna 172K

Buying a Cessna 172K comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:

What to check before buying

The Cessna 172K (1969-1970) is a four-seat, fixed-gear Skyhawk powered by the Lycoming O-320-E2D (150 hp), cruising around 120 knots with about 580 nm range. It belongs to the early Lycoming era of the 172: Cessna switched the Skyhawk from the Continental O-300 to the Lycoming O-320 with the 172I in 1968, so the 172K carries the four-cylinder O-320-E2D rather than the earlier six-cylinder Continental.

The clean O-320-E2D engine. The 172K's O-320-E2D is the well-regarded early Lycoming variant, without the camshaft and lifter issues of the later O-320-H2AD used in the 1977-1980 172N. It shares the large parts network and simple four-cylinder maintenance of the O-320 family, and is easier to support than the earlier Continental O-300.

172K versus its neighbors. Against the Continental-powered 172s that preceded it (through 1967), the 172K offers a more common engine and simpler maintenance. Against the later 172M, 172N, and 172P, it is an earlier airframe with the same basic O-320 character - condition and price, not the letter, drive the decision.

Ownership focus. On a 50-plus-year-old airframe, corrosion, logbook continuity, and engine time-since-overhaul lead the pre-buy. The O-320-E2D itself is a strong point with no generation-specific concern.

Buy it if you want an affordable early Lycoming-powered Skyhawk with the clean O-320-E2D engine and the large 172 support network - and will buy on airframe condition and engine time.

Frequently Asked Questions — Cessna 172K

About the Cessna 172K
The Cessna 172K Skyhawk was produced 1969–1970 — a late-1960s four-seat high-wing single with a Lycoming O-320-E2D carbureted engine (150 hp). It pre-dates the conical-camber wingtip changes of the early-1970s 172 and represents one of the oldest letter variants regularly traded on the used market. The 172K's buy case is entry price — mission and systems are essentially identical to the L and M that followed; what differs is airframe age.
172K vs 172L or 172M — which should I buy?
All three use the same O-320-E2D engine and four-seat 172 mission. The K (1969–1970) is the oldest — lowest price but highest total time and oldest systems. Unless price or a specific example's condition makes it compelling, a 172M (1973–1976) gives a younger airframe for a modest premium. In any case: buy the best-documented engine history and cleanest logbooks regardless of letter.
What should I inspect on a used Cessna 172K?
At 55+ years old, corrosion is the first priority — spar carry-through, wing strut attach points, tail surfaces, and control cable routing. Seat rail AD compliance (mandatory). Engine time and logbook continuity. Budget for a thorough pre-buy by an inspector experienced with older airframes; deferred maintenance can accumulate silently through multiple ownership chains.
What engine does the 172K use?
Lycoming O-320-E2D, 150 hp, carbureted. Solid engine — verify time since overhaul, compression, and oil consumption trends.
Is the Cessna 172K reliable?
The O-320-E2D has an excellent reliability record (it avoids the carburetor issues associated with the O-320-H2AD used on later models in the early 1980s). The airframe is 55+ years old; reliability depends almost entirely on documented maintenance history.

Cessna 172K Inventory by Country

United States13

Cessna 172K by Price

Under $100k132
Under $200k362
Under $300k405
Under $500k422

Recently Sold Cessna 172K

1970 172K$105,000

Cessna 172K Safety Record

Across all 172K variants, 226 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 1982–2026. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.

226

Total Events

133

Incidents

22

Serious

34

Fatal

Most Recent Events

Date Location Severity Probable Cause
Jan 16, 2026 Amery, WI Incident —
Sep 20, 2025 Salisbury, CT Minor —
Jan 23, 2025 Columbia, CA Serious —
Dec 19, 2024 Southport, NC Incident The pilot’s loss of aircraft control due to spatial disorientation, and the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision, …
Sep 20, 2024 Spartanburg, SC Minor —

NTSB records 1982–2026. Includes all Cessna 172K variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.

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.
Listings last refreshed 11 hours ago · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data