Cessna 414 vs Cessna 421

The Cessna 414 and Cessna 421 are Cessna's pressurised piston twins — the 414 Chancellor and the 421 Golden Eagle — and the 414 vs 421 choice is economy versus the most powerful cabin-class piston twin Cessna built. Both seat six to eight in a pressurised cabin and cross weather in comfort. The 414 is the lighter, more economical one; the 421 adds geared, more powerful engines for noticeably more speed and load. Today's market — prices and counts — for each is below.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily

Cessna 414
For sale now
41
Median asking
$450,000
Range
$227,883–$712,000
Model years available
1971–1983
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 414Cessna 421
All events149326
Serious1623
Fatal58121
Fatalities148342
% Fatal39%37%
View full Cessna 414 NTSB record →View full Cessna 421 NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Cessna 414 Cessna 421
Cessna 414
View 20 listings →
Median $450,000
 Cessna 421
View 7 listings →
Median $410,912
Price Range $227,883 – $712,000 $138,945 – $683,750
Category Multi Engine Piston Multi Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 8 8
Horsepower 310 HP 375 HP
Cruise Speed 210 kts (389 km/h) 230 kts (426 km/h)
Range 1,315 nm (2,435 km) 1,385 nm (2,565 km)
Service Ceiling 30,200 ft (9,205 m) 30,200 ft (9,205 m)
Max Gross Weight 6,750 lbs (3,062 kg) 7,450 lbs (3,379 kg)
Useful Load 2,250 lbs (1,021 kg) 2,450 lbs (1,111 kg)
Fuel Capacity 206.0 gal (780 L) 213.0 gal (806 L)
Fuel Burn 30.0 GPH (114 L/h) 35.0 GPH (132 L/h)
TBO 1,400 hrs 1,600 hrs
Overhaul Cost $45,000 $50,000
Annual Fixed $30,000 $35,000
Hourly Variable $350 $400
Engines 2 x Piston (Turbocharged) 2 x Piston (Turbocharged)

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Cessna 414

Fuel$165/hr
Variable$350/hr
Annual Fixed$30,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $100,000/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 414 or Cessna 421?

Bottom line: Choose the 414 Chancellor for pressurised twin comfort at a lower operating cost — a capable cabin-class twin that carries six in a pressurised cabin without the 421's thirst. Choose the 421 Golden Eagle for more speed and payload — its geared, higher-output engines make it the faster, stronger hauler, at higher fuel and maintenance cost. On safety both are pressurised piston twins offering engine-out redundancy but demanding light-twin proficiency, and the 421's geared engines reward careful operation; the difference is capability and cost, not safety class. The 414 is the economical cabin twin; the 421 is the powerful flagship.

Pick the 414 if…

  • Lower operating cost — ~$350/hr vs $400/hr.
  • Newer design — production from 1970 vs 1968.
  • More inventory — 20 listings vs 7.

Pick the 421 if…

  • Budget matters — from $138,945 vs $227,883, you save ~$88,938.
  • Faster cruise — 230 kts vs 210 kts.
  • Longer range — 1385 nm vs 1315 nm.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between the Cessna 414 and 421?
Power and performance. The 421 Golden Eagle has more powerful geared engines for higher speed and payload; the 414 Chancellor is lighter and more economical. Both are pressurised, cabin-class piston twins.
Which is faster?
The 421 Golden Eagle — its higher-output geared engines give it a notably higher cruise than the 414. The 414 trades some speed for lower fuel and maintenance costs.
Are both pressurised?
Yes — both offer a pressurised cabin that lets them cruise comfortably above much of the weather, a key reason buyers choose cabin-class Cessna twins.
Which is better, Cessna 414 or Cessna 421?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 414 cruises at 210 kts with 1,315 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 414: from $359,000. 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 414 and Cessna 421?
414 engine: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-N (310 hp). 421 engine: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-D (375 hp). Cruise: 210 vs 230 kts. Range: 1315 vs 1385 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
414: about $350/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?
414: 8 seats / 2,250 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?
414: 1,400-hour TBO, overhaul ~$45,000. 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