Cessna 340 vs Cessna 414 vs Cessna 421
The Cessna 340, Cessna 414 Chancellor and Cessna 421 Golden Eagle are Cessna's pressurised piston twins, in ascending order of size and power — three ways to cross weather in a pressurised cabin. The 340 is the compact entry, the 414 Chancellor the roomier cabin-class twin, and the 421 Golden Eagle the powerful, geared-engine flagship. Today's prices and counts for each are below.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 81
- Median asking
- $300,000
- Range
- $168,823–$523,000
- Model years available
- 1972–1984
- For sale now
- 41
- Median asking
- $450,000
- Range
- $227,883–$712,000
- Model years available
- 1971–1983
- 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 340 | Cessna 414 | Cessna 421 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All events | 191 | 149 | 326 |
| Serious | 7 | 16 | 23 |
| Fatal | 72 | 58 | 121 |
| Fatalities | 179 | 148 | 342 |
| % Fatal | 38% | 39% | 37% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Cessna 340 | Cessna 414 | Cessna 421 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
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| Price Range | $168,823 – $523,000 | $227,883 – $712,000 | $138,945 – $683,750 |
| Category | Multi Engine Piston | Multi Engine Piston | Multi Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | |||
| Seats | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| Horsepower | 285 HP | 310 HP | 375 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 195 kts (361 km/h) | 210 kts (389 km/h) | 230 kts (426 km/h) |
| Range | 1,180 nm (2,185 km) | 1,315 nm (2,435 km) | 1,385 nm (2,565 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 29,800 ft (9,083 m) | 30,200 ft (9,205 m) | 30,200 ft (9,205 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 5,990 lbs (2,717 kg) | 6,750 lbs (3,062 kg) | 7,450 lbs (3,379 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,840 lbs (835 kg) | 2,250 lbs (1,021 kg) | 2,450 lbs (1,111 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 163.0 gal (617 L) | 206.0 gal (780 L) | 213.0 gal (806 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 28.0 GPH (106 L/h) | 30.0 GPH (114 L/h) | 35.0 GPH (132 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,400 hrs | 1,400 hrs | 1,600 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $40,000 | $45,000 | $50,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $28,000 | $30,000 | $35,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $320 | $350 | $400 |
| Engines | 2 x Piston (Turbocharged) | 2 x Piston (Turbocharged) | 2 x Piston (Turbocharged) |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 340
Cessna 414
Cessna 421
Which Should You Buy?
Bottom line: Choose the 340 for the most affordable pressurised twin — a compact cabin-class airplane with the lowest running costs of the three. Choose the 414 Chancellor for more room — a wider cabin-class cabin and easy loading, a step up in comfort and payload. Choose the 421 Golden Eagle for speed and capacity — its geared, higher-output engines make it the fastest and strongest hauler, at the highest cost. On safety all three are pressurised piston twins offering engine-out redundancy but demanding light-twin proficiency, and the 421's geared engines reward careful operation; the differences are size, speed and cost, not safety class. The 340 is the compact entry, the 414 the roomy middle, the 421 the powerful flagship.
Pick the 340 if…
- Lowest operating cost — about $320/hr
- Newest design — built from 1972
Pick the 414 if…
- Most listings for sale — 20
Pick the 421 if…
- Lowest entry price — from $138,945
- 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.