Cessna 421 vs Cessna Conquest

The Cessna Conquest (turboprop twin) and 421 (pressurised piston twin) are step-up and step-down in the same cabin-class family — the Conquest brings turbine reliability and speed; the 421 is the piston-powered, lower-acquisition alternative.

Live Market Snapshot

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

Cessna 421
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
Cessna Conquest

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 421Cessna Conquest
All events3261
Serious230
Fatal1210
Fatalities3420
% Fatal37%0%
View full Cessna 421 NTSB record →View full Cessna Conquest NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Cessna 421 Cessna Conquest
Cessna 421
View 82 listings →
Median $410,912
View 23 listings →
Median $1,162,500
Price Range $138,945 – $683,750 $773,539 – $2,450,000
Category Multi Engine Piston —
Model Specifications
Seats 8 11
Cruise Speed 230 kts (426 km/h) 272 kts (504 km/h)
Range 1,385 nm (2,565 km) 1,650 nm (3,056 km)
Service Ceiling 30,200 ft (9,205 m) —
Max Gross Weight 7,450 lbs (3,379 kg) —
Useful Load 2,450 lbs (1,111 kg) 3,100 lbs (1,406 kg)
Fuel Capacity 213.0 gal (806 L) —
Fuel Burn 35.0 GPH (132 L/h) —
TBO 1,600 hrs —
Overhaul Cost $50,000 —
Annual Fixed $35,000 —
Hourly Variable $400 —
Engines 2 x Piston (Turbocharged) 2 x

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Cessna 421

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

Cessna Conquest

Which Should You Buy: Cessna 421 or Cessna Conquest?

Bottom line: Choose the Conquest for turbine reliability, higher cruise and known maintenance intervals. Choose the 421 for lower acquisition cost when piston economics and a pressurised cabin meet the mission — accepting piston-twin engine management.

Pick the 421 if…

  • Budget matters — from $138,945 vs $773,539, you save ~$634,594.
  • More inventory — 82 listings vs 23.

Pick the Conquest if…

  • More seats — 11 vs 8.
  • Faster cruise — 272 kts vs 230 kts.
  • Longer range — 1650 nm vs 1385 nm.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Cessna 421 or Cessna Conquest?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 421 cruises at 230 kts with 1,385 nm range. The Conquest cruises at 272 kts with 1,650 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 421: from $319,999. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 421 and Cessna Conquest?
421 engine: Continental GTSIO-520-D. Seats: 8 vs 11. Cruise: 230 vs 272 kts. Range: 1385 vs 1650 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
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?
421: 8 seats / 2,450 lb useful load. Conquest: 11 seats / 3,100 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?
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