HangarMath

Piper PA-23 Apache / Aztec Pre-Buy Checklist

Multi Piston · 1954-1981 · 2,400 active

Full Cost Data

Purchase Price

$30K-$200K

Prebuy Items

ADs

Insurance

$2,588

per year (experienced)

Known Maintenance Issues

1 FAA Service Difficulty Reports (2015-2024)

Landing Gear
1

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

Safety Record (NTSB)

Public incident data · 1982-2025

47

Total Incidents

43

Accidents

15

Fatal

19.6

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
$24K-$47K
1960-1969
$34K-$65K
1970-1979
$53K-$102K
1980-1981
$97K-$186K

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Piper PA-23 Apache / Aztec cost?

Typical purchase price: $30K-$200K

What should I check before buying a Piper PA-23 Apache / Aztec?

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 Piper PA-23 Apache / Aztec?

Experienced pilots: $2,588-$3,163/year.

Are there any known issues with the Piper PA-23 Apache / Aztec?

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

Cost Summary

Purchase$30K-$200K
Annual Fixed$10,388/yr
Hourly Variable$67.00/hr
5-Year Total$115K-$377K

Insurance Estimates

New PPL$3,623-$5,233
Experienced$2,588-$3,163

Engine

ModelLycoming IO-540-C4B5
Power250 HP
TBO2,000 hrs
Overhaul$25,000-$35,000

Read the Full Guide

Model years, known issues, what to inspect, and real ownership costs.

Piper Aztec Guide

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.