Cessna 310 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

Cessna 310

No active listings right now.

Cessna 421
For sale now
85
Median asking
$410,912
Range
$138,945–$683,750
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 310Cessna 421
All events584326
Serious4223
Fatal181121
Fatalities354342
% Fatal31%37%
View full Cessna 310 NTSB record →View full Cessna 421 NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

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Spec / Model Cessna 310 Cessna 421
Cessna 421
View 7 listings →
Median $410,912
Price Range — $138,945 – $683,750
Category — Multi Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 5 8
Horsepower 240 HP 375 HP
Cruise Speed 190 kts (352 km/h) 230 kts (426 km/h)
Range 800 nm (1,482 km) 1,385 nm (2,565 km)
Service Ceiling 20,000 ft (6,096 m) 30,200 ft (9,205 m)
Max Gross Weight 4,830 lbs (2,191 kg) 7,450 lbs (3,379 kg)
Useful Load 1,700 lbs (771 kg) 2,450 lbs (1,111 kg)
Fuel Capacity 100.0 gal (378 L) 213.0 gal (806 L)
Fuel Burn 22.0 GPH (83 L/h) 35.0 GPH (132 L/h)
TBO 1,500 hrs 1,600 hrs
Overhaul Cost $38,000 $50,000
Annual Fixed $25,000 $35,000
Hourly Variable $280 $400
Engines 2 x Piston 2 x Piston (Turbocharged)

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Cessna 310

Fuel$121/hr
Variable$280/hr
Annual Fixed$25,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $81,000/yr

Cessna 421

Fuel$192/hr
Variable$400/hr
Annual Fixed$35,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $115,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Cessna 310 or Cessna 421?

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…

  • Lower operating cost — ~$280/hr vs $400/hr.

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.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the key difference between the Cessna 310 and 421 Golden Eagle?
Pressurization and engine class. The 310 is an unpressurized twin with Continental IO-470 or IO-520 engines (around 285 hp each), cruising approximately 195–205 kt. The 421 Golden Eagle uses geared, turbosupercharged GTSIO-520 engines (375 hp each), is pressurized, and cruises approximately 235–250 kt. These are not near-equivalents — the 421 is in a substantially higher class of capability and cost.
Who compares the 310 to the 421?
Buyers considering the step from an unpressurized light twin to a pressurized cabin-class twin. The 310 is the upper end of unpressurized piston twins; the 421 is the premium of the pressurized Cessna piston-twin line. The comparison is often a mission/budget inflection: is the pressurization and speed worth the significantly higher acquisition and operating cost?
When does upgrading from a 310 to a 421 make financial sense?
When the mission regularly involves flights high enough that cabin pressurization is a genuine passenger benefit; routes long enough that the 421's speed advantage saves meaningful block time; and passenger loads that fill the 421's pressurized cabin. Operators who primarily fly lower-altitude VFR in the 310 will find the 421's premium hard to justify in operating economics.
How do operating costs compare?
The 421's GTSIO-520 engines (geared, turbosupercharged, 375 hp) cost significantly more per hour to operate than the 310's IO-520 (285 hp). Gearbox inspection and overhaul is an additional item over the 310's simpler engines, and pressurization-system maintenance adds another inspection layer absent in the 310. The 310 is one of the most economical twin-engine operations; the 421 is one of the more expensive piston twins.
How do their prices compare?
See the comparison table above. The 421 commands a major premium over the 310 — a different ownership tier entirely.
310 or 421 — bottom line?
The 310 for buyers who want the classic Cessna twin mission profile at minimum operating cost — no pressurization, simpler engines, strong community support. The 421 for buyers whose mission genuinely needs pressurization and ~240 kt, and who can sustain the GTSIO-520's operating cost.
Which is better, Cessna 310 or Cessna 421?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 310 cruises at 190 kts with 800 nm range. The 421 cruises at 230 kts with 1,385 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 421: from $393,219. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 310 and Cessna 421?
310 engine: CONTINENTAL O-470-B;O-470-M (240 hp). 421 engine: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-D (375 hp). Seats: 5 vs 8. Cruise: 190 vs 230 kts. Range: 800 vs 1385 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
310: about $280/hr variable cost. 421: about $400/hr variable cost. Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
310: 5 seats / 1,700 lb useful load. 421: 8 seats / 2,450 lb useful load. Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
310: 1,500-hour TBO, overhaul ~$38,000. 421: 1,600-hour TBO, overhaul ~$50,000. Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data