HangarMath

Cessna 180 Skywagon Pre-Buy Checklist

Single Piston · 1953-1981 · 3,800 active

Full Cost Data

Purchase Price

$30K-$200K

Prebuy Items

ADs

Insurance

$1,915

per year (experienced)

Known Maintenance Issues

6 FAA Service Difficulty Reports (2015-2024)

System Z
2
Airframe
1
Control Systems
1
Landing Gear
1
Powerplant
1

Source: FAA Service Difficulty Reports (SDR). Higher counts may reflect fleet size.

Safety Record (NTSB)

Public incident data · 1982-2025

209

Total Incidents

208

Accidents

13

Fatal

55.0

Per 1K Fleet

Raw public data from NTSB. Not a safety grade. Compare with fleet size and hours flown.

Purchase Price by Year

1950-1959
$31K-$60K
1960-1969
$43K-$84K
1970-1979
$63K-$121K
1980-1981
$97K-$186K

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cessna 180 Skywagon cost?

Typical purchase price: $30K-$200K

What should I check before buying a Cessna 180 Skywagon?

Have a qualified A&P mechanic perform a thorough pre-buy inspection of the airframe, engine, avionics, and logbooks.

How much is insurance for a Cessna 180 Skywagon?

Experienced pilots: $1,915-$2,340/year.

Are there any known issues with the Cessna 180 Skywagon?

Check FAA airworthiness directives and type club resources for known issues.

Cost Summary

Purchase$30K-$200K
Annual Fixed$5,115/yr
Hourly Variable$67.00/hr
5-Year Total$89K-$325K

Insurance Estimates

New PPL$2,588-$3,738
Experienced$1,915-$2,340

Engine

ModelContinental O-470-U
Power230 HP
TBO2,000 hrs
Overhaul$25,000-$35,000

Disclaimer

This guide is for informational purposes only. Always hire a qualified A&P mechanic for a professional pre-buy inspection. Data sourced from FAA records and industry benchmarks.