Skip to main content

Aircraft model

CESSNA 172D

Everything here is true of every aircraft of the type, not of any one aircraft.

Compare CESSNA 172D with another model

What it is

Seats4
Landing geartricycle
Engines1
EngineContinental O-300-D
Horsepower145 hp
Fuel100LL
Certification basisCAR3
Production start1963
Production end1963
Endorsements required—

Performance

Cruise speed108 KTAS
Range520 nm
Service ceiling13,100 ft
Climb rate645 ft/min
Stall speed (Vso)41 KCAS
Takeoff over 50 ft1,525 ft
Landing over 50 ft1,250 ft

Load and fuel

Seats4
Useful load1,020 lb
Full-fuel payload786 lb
Max takeoff weight2,300 lb
Empty weight1,280 lb
Usable fuel39 gal
Fuel burn at cruise8.1 gal/h

Cost of ownership

Price, low$42,000
Price, high$130,000
Prices as of2026
Engine TBO1,800 h
Overhaul cost, low$30,000
Overhaul cost, high$42,000

The fleet and its record

Registered, all time860
Active fleet471
Median year built1963.0
NTSB events, last 10 years14
Fatal events, last 10 years3
Events per 1,000 active, last 10 years29.72 per 1,000 active · base 471 active
Personal-flying events per 1,000 active23.35 per 1,000 active · base 471 active
Ownership transfers, last 24 months135
Transfers per 100 active28.66 per 100 active · base 471 active
Airworthiness directives5
Directives, last 5 years0
Rate confidenceok

Peer scores

A score runs from 0 to 10 within the model's peer class: a position, not a grade, and the six are never added together.

Peer classFixed wing single-engine, piston, 1 engine, 3-4 seats
Accident record7.9 of 10 · class median 35.76 · 202 models in class
Severity2.7 of 10 · class median 12.7
Access8.8 of 10 · class median 820.5
Support7.9 of 10 · class median 141.5
Liquidity9.2 of 10 · class median 19.57
Aircraft · public FAA and NTSB records; not an inspection