Beechcraft Bonanza 36 vs Piper Seneca
The Piper Seneca (six-seat piston twin, ~190 kt) and Beechcraft Bonanza 36 (six-seat single, ~175 kt) are different-propulsion competitors — single vs twin.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 208
- Median asking
- $399,000
- Range
- $229,000–$875,000
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 94
- Source marketplaces
- 17
- Model years available
- 1968–2026
- For sale now
- 111
- Median asking
- $227,990
- Range
- $89,465–$640,128
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 39
- Source marketplaces
- 11
- Model years available
- 1967–2023
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | Beechcraft Bonanza 36 | Piper Seneca |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 2 |
| Serious | — | 0 |
| Fatal | — | 0 |
| Fatalities | — | 0 |
| % Fatal | — | 0% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Beechcraft Bonanza 36 | Piper Seneca |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $229,000 – $875,000 | $89,465 – $640,128 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Multi Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Horsepower | 285 HP | — |
| Cruise Speed | 168 kts (311 km/h) | 180 kts (333 km/h) |
| Range | 697 nm (1,291 km) | 750 nm (1,389 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 18,000 ft (5,486 m) | 25,000 ft (7,620 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 3,400 lbs (1,542 kg) | 4,750 lbs (2,155 kg) |
| Useful Load | — | 1,590 lbs (721 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 74.0 gal (280 L) | 123.0 gal (466 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 14.0 GPH (53 L/h) | 22.0 GPH (83 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,700 hrs | 1,800 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $35,000 | $40,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $22,000 | $25,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $195 | $280 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 2 x Piston (Turbocharged) |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateBeechcraft Bonanza 36
Piper Seneca
Which Should You Buy: Beechcraft Bonanza 36 or Piper Seneca?
Bottom line: Choose the Seneca for twin-engine redundancy and the safety profile of a twin on overwater/IFR missions. Choose the Bonanza 36 for single-engine economics, lower fuel burn and the refined Beechcraft cabin.
Pick the Bonanza 36 if…
- Lower operating cost — ~$195/hr vs $280/hr.
- More inventory — 210 listings vs 107.
Pick the Seneca if…
- Budget matters — from $89,465 vs $229,000, you save ~$139,535.
- Faster cruise — 180 kts vs 168 kts.
- Longer range — 750 nm vs 697 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1972 vs 1968.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.