Single-engine piston

N78239

1968 Cessna 172K

Registered 2 NTSB/FAA records
Built
1968
Serial
17257540
Class
Single-engine piston
Engines
Lycoming O-320 series
Status
Current as of October 2026
Registered owner
Draco Flight School Dba + 1 co-owner (Corporation)
Based
Chino, CA
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Registration record

N78239 on the FAA register

Type
1968 Cessna 172K
Serial
17257540
Engines
Lycoming O-320 series
Registered owner
Draco Flight School Dba + 1 co-owner
Chino, CA
Certificate issued
2025-08-11
Airworthiness date
1968-09-30
Registration expires
2032-08-31
Airworthiness class
Standard · normal, utility
Mode S (hex)
AA9AD7
Mode S (octal)
52515327
Seats (type)
4
Weight class
up to 12,499 lb
Range (type)
418 nm
Cruise (type)
92 kt
Status
Current as of October 2026
Registry history

Timeline

  • 2032-08-31
    Registration expires (renewal due).
  • 2025-08-11
    Certificate of registration issued as N78239 to the current registrant.
  • 2018-10-05
    Accident at Stockton, CA; damage: substantial.
  • 1991-09-15
    Accident at Greeneville, TN; damage: substantial.
  • 1968-09-30
    Airworthiness date on the current FAA record (standard category (normal, utility)).
  • 1949-03-08
    N78239 previously assigned to a Globe SWIFT (s/n 2239); cancelled.
Overview

About N78239

N78239 is a 1968 Cessna 172K, serial number 17257540. The FAA register lists Draco Flight School Dba + 1 co-owner as the registrant in Chino, California. The current certificate of registration was issued on August 11, 2025 and expires on August 31, 2032.

The FAA aircraft reference file describes the type as a single-engine piston, one Lycoming O-320 series engine and 4 seats. Published figures for the type give a cruise speed of about 92 knots and a range of about 418 nm; actual performance depends on configuration, load and conditions. Its airworthiness certificate is standard category (normal, utility), dated September 30, 1968.

N78239 has 2 accident/incident records on file (most serious damage: substantial); details are below.

Cruise
92 kt
Range
418 nm
Fuel burn
8 gph

Published figures for the Cessna 172K type. They describe the model, not this airframe's equipment or condition.

Safety record

Accident & incident history

2018-10-05 Accident · Stockton, CA Damage: Substantial NTSB · GAA19CA014
Reported aircraft: Cessna 172
Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
1991-09-15 Accident · Greeneville, TN Damage: Substantial NTSB · ATL91LA175A
Reported aircraft: Cessna 172K
Probable cause: THE INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT OF N78239, AND HIS FAILURE TO ACCURATELY JUDGE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TWO AIRCRAFT. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS AND THE RESULTING VISUAL PERCEPTION OF AIRCRAFT LIGHTING IN DARK CONDITIONS.

Sources: NTSB aviation accident database and CAROL case system, FAA preliminary accident & incident notices. Search accident records

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Data: FAA Aircraft Registry (October 2026), including deregistered aircraft; NTSB and FAA accident data; fyiAero listing history. Individual owners' names are shown to signed-in users and street addresses are never shown. Type figures are published specifications, not this aircraft's.