Cessna 182 Skylane Pre-Buy Checklist
Single Piston · 1956-present · 14,100 active
Purchase Price
$30K-$200K
Prebuy Items
4
2 critical
ADs
1
1 recurring
Insurance
$1,915
per year (experienced)
Pre-Buy Inspection Checklist
4 items to check · 2 critical · 2 important
engine
O-540 cylinder inspection
Check for through-bolt corrosion and cylinder base nut torque. Common on Lycoming O-540.
Check prop governor operation
Constant-speed prop governor should cycle smoothly. Sticky governors indicate rebuild.
airframe
Inspect landing gear saddle
Spring steel gear can develop cracks at the saddle mount. NDT inspection recommended.
avionics
Verify autopilot operation
Test all autopilot modes in flight if equipped. Servo and controller repairs are expensive.
Airworthiness Directives
1 ADs on record · 1 recurring
| AD Number | Title | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-24-07Recurring | McCauley Propeller Hub Inspection | $1,500 |
Known Maintenance Issues
6 FAA Service Difficulty Reports (2015-2024)
Source: FAA Service Difficulty Reports (SDR). Higher counts may reflect fleet size.
Safety Record (NTSB)
Public incident data · 1982-2025
329
Total Incidents
325
Accidents
85
Fatal
23.3
Per 1K Fleet
Raw public data from NTSB. Not a safety grade. Compare with fleet size and hours flown.
Purchase Price by Year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cessna 182 Skylane cost?
Typical purchase price: $30K-$200K
What should I check before buying a Cessna 182 Skylane?
There are 4 key items to inspect, including 2 critical items.
How much is insurance for a Cessna 182 Skylane?
Experienced pilots: $1,915-$2,340/year.
Are there any known issues with the Cessna 182 Skylane?
There are 1 airworthiness directives (1 recurring) to be aware of.
Cost Summary
Engine
Read the Full Guide
Model years, known issues, what to inspect, and real ownership costs.
Cessna 182 Skylane GuideDisclaimer
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.