(Dan Thomas) wrote
Cessna also states in the 172 POH that it's designed to 150% of
the G figures given, or 5.7 G's. I think the 3.8 figure would be
the yield point, where things begin to bend, and the 150% figure
would break them entirely. Or something like that.

The C-172 is probably wing limited, since at 200-300 under maximum
gross weight, it falls in the Utility Category with +4.4g allowed
for the limit load and +6.6g for the ultimate load.

Bob Moore