De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter vs Cessna 408 SkyCourier
The Cessna 408 SkyCourier and de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter are utility turboprop twins — the SkyCourier is the new (2022) high-volume cargo/commuter twin built for FedEx-class feeder operations; the Twin Otter is the legendary STOL utility twin with unmatched rough-field and float capability.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
No active listings right now.
- For sale now
- 2
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 1
- Source marketplaces
- 1
- Model years available
- 2023–2026
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) | De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter | Cessna 408 SkyCourier |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 2 | — |
| Serious | 1 | — |
| Fatal | 1 | — |
| Fatalities | 0 | — |
| % Fatal | 50% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter | Cessna 408 SkyCourier |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
| Price Range | — | — |
| Category | — | Multi Engine Turboprop |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 19 | 19 |
| Cruise Speed | 182 kts (337 km/h) | 210 kts (389 km/h) |
| Range | 799 nm (1,480 km) | 900 nm (1,667 km) |
| Max Gross Weight | 12,500 lbs (5,670 kg) | 19,000 lbs (8,618 kg) |
| Engines | — | 2 x |
Which Should You Buy: De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter or Cessna 408 SkyCourier?
Bottom line: Choose the Twin Otter for genuine STOL, rough-field and float/ski versatility in remote operations. Choose the SkyCourier for modern high-volume cargo/commuter economics, a large flat cabin and new-airframe support on developed strips.
Pick the DHC-6 Twin Otter if…
Pick the 408 SkyCourier if…
- Faster cruise — 210 kts vs 182 kts.
- Longer range — 900 nm vs 799 nm.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.