Cessna 421 vs Cessna 310
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
- 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
No active listings right now.
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 421 | Cessna 310 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 326 | 584 |
| Serious | 23 | 42 |
| Fatal | 121 | 181 |
| Fatalities | 342 | 354 |
| % Fatal | 37% | 31% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Cessna 421 | Cessna 310 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $138,945 – $683,750 | $19,000 – $270,000 |
| Category | Multi Engine Piston | — |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 8 | 5 |
| Horsepower | — | 240 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 230 kts (426 km/h) | 190 kts (352 km/h) |
| Range | 1,385 nm (2,565 km) | 800 nm (1,482 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 30,200 ft (9,205 m) | — |
| Max Gross Weight | 7,450 lbs (3,379 kg) | 4,830 lbs (2,191 kg) |
| Useful Load | 2,450 lbs (1,111 kg) | 1,700 lbs (771 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 213.0 gal (806 L) | — |
| Fuel Burn | 35.0 GPH (132 L/h) | 22.0 GPH (83 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,600 hrs | 1,500 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $50,000 | $38,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $35,000 | $25,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $400 | $280 |
| Engines | 2 x Piston (Turbocharged) | 2 x Reciprocating |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 421
Cessna 310
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 421 or Cessna 310?
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 421 if…
- More seats — 8 vs 5.
- Faster cruise — 230 kts vs 190 kts.
- Longer range — 1385 nm vs 800 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1968 vs 1956.
- More inventory — 82 listings vs 48.
Pick the 310 if…
- Budget matters — from $19,000 vs $138,945, you save ~$119,945.
- Lower operating cost — ~$280/hr vs $400/hr.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.