Cessna 310 vs Cessna 340 vs Cessna 421
The Cessna 310 (six-seat unpressurised piston twin, ~195 kt) is the lightest Cessna twin of the 300-400 line; the 340 (pressurised cabin-class, ~225 kt), 414 Chancellor (pressurised cabin- class, ~210 kt) and 421 Golden Eagle (pressurised top-of-line, ~240 kt) are progressively larger and more capable.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
No active listings right now.
- For sale now
- 81
- Median asking
- $300,000
- Range
- $168,823–$523,000
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 28
- Source marketplaces
- 16
- Model years available
- 1972–1984
- For sale now
- 85
- Median asking
- $410,912
- Range
- $138,945–$683,750
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 38
- Source marketplaces
- 12
- Model years available
- 1968–1984
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) | Cessna 310 | Cessna 340 | Cessna 421 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All events | 584 | 191 | 326 |
| Serious | 42 | 7 | 23 |
| Fatal | 181 | 72 | 121 |
| Fatalities | 354 | 179 | 342 |
| % Fatal | 31% | 38% | 37% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Cessna 310 | Cessna 340 | Cessna 421 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $19,000 – $270,000 | $168,823 – $523,000 | $138,945 – $683,750 |
| Category | — | Multi Engine Piston | Multi Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | |||
| Seats | 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Horsepower | 240 HP | — | — |
| Cruise Speed | 190 kts (352 km/h) | 195 kts (361 km/h) | 230 kts (426 km/h) |
| Range | 800 nm (1,482 km) | 1,180 nm (2,185 km) | 1,385 nm (2,565 km) |
| Service Ceiling | — | 29,800 ft (9,083 m) | 30,200 ft (9,205 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 4,830 lbs (2,191 kg) | 5,990 lbs (2,717 kg) | 7,450 lbs (3,379 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,700 lbs (771 kg) | 1,840 lbs (835 kg) | 2,450 lbs (1,111 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 163.0 gal (617 L) | 213.0 gal (806 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 22.0 GPH (83 L/h) | 28.0 GPH (106 L/h) | 35.0 GPH (132 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,500 hrs | 1,400 hrs | 1,600 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $38,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $25,000 | $28,000 | $35,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $280 | $320 | $400 |
| Engines | 2 x Reciprocating | 2 x Piston (Turbocharged) | 2 x Piston (Turbocharged) |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 310
Cessna 340
Cessna 421
Which Should You Buy?
Bottom line: Choose the 310 for the lowest-cost Cessna twin and unpressurised six-seat operations. Step up to the 340 for pressurisation and the cabin-class cabin; to the 414 for the larger fuselage and the cabin-class executive mission; to the 421 for the top piston-twin Cessna built (highest cruise, most refined cabin) — each step adds materially higher acquisition and operating cost.
Pick the 310 if…
- Lowest entry price — from $19,000
- Lowest operating cost — about $280/hr
Pick the 340 if…
- Newest design — built from 1972
Pick the 421 if…
- Most seats — 8
- Fastest cruise — 230 kts
- Longest range — 1385 nm
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.