Cessna 404 Aircraft under $500,000

Under $500k for a piston twin is the mid-range — typically 1980s-90s Baron 55/58, Cessna 310/340/414, Seneca II/III. Engines on first or second overhaul; mandate-compliance largely current; pressurised variants need pressurisation maintenance verified. Reasonable middle of the cabin-class twin market.

The Cessna 404 Titan is the largest of Cessna's unpressurised utility and commuter twins — a rugged piston twin built to carry passengers and cargo on short routes, with more powerful engines and greater payload than the 402. Used by commuter airlines, cargo operators and special-mission fleets, the Titan combines a large cabin with simple systems and short-field capability. See the live price range and median above for the Cessna 404 Titan listings currently on the market.

Cessna 404 aircraft for sale

1 used Cessna 404 aircraft for sale under $500,000 · 10-seat · Reference price ~$300,000 ($180,000–$550,000) · updated 1 hour ago

Cessna 404 Specifications

Model spec

The Cessna 404 is a 10-seat multi engine piston with a cruise speed of 200 kt (370 km/h), a range of 1,100 nm (2,037 km), and a useful load of 2,700 lbs (1,225 kg).

Performance
Cruise200 kt (370 km/h)
Max Speed213 kt (394 km/h)
Range1,100 nm (2,037 km)
Service Ceiling26,000 ft (7,925 m)
Engine & Fuel
EngineCONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-M
Horsepower375 HP
Fuel Capacity212.0 gal (802 L)
Fuel Burn40.0 GPH (151 L/h)
TBO1,600 hrs
Weights & Seats
Seats10
Max Gross Weight8,400 lbs (3,810 kg)
Useful Load2,700 lbs (1,225 kg)
Production1976–1982

Cessna 404 for Sale

Cessna 404 asking prices range from $328,000 to $328,000, with a median of $328,000 (market reference $300,000).

1981 Cessna 404

1981 Cessna 404 for sale
$328,000
For Sale
Total Time 24,387
Reg# VH-TFU Australia
Location Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Via Airflite Pty Ltd
Multiple sources

1978 Cessna 404

No photo available
$150,000
Project
Total Time 8,771
Location Kenya
Via Superior Air
Listed 2mo ago

Compare Cessna 404

Detailed comparisons for the Cessna 404 are being prepared.

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Cessna 404 Price & Cost

How much does a Cessna 404 cost? Used 404 prices: from $328K; market reference $300K, across 1 priced of 1 active listings.

Cessna 404 Price Guide

Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.

Cessna 404 Cost of Ownership estimate
Fuel (40.0 GPH × $6.20, 100 hrs)$24,800/yr
Annual Fixed (hangar, insurance, annual)$38,000/yr
Variable (per hour)$400/hr
Engine Overhaul (every 1,600 hrs)$50,000
Estimates at 100 flight hours/year. Actual costs vary by usage, location and insurance.

The 404 Titan's two 375-hp geared, turbocharged engines consume around 40-45 gph combined - among the highest fuel burns in the piston-twin category. Engine overhaul cost per unit exceeds the 300-hp engines in the 402 family. Commercial operators offset these costs against payload revenue; personal owners face high fixed costs per hour, and annual inspection labour is substantial. The Titan's value proposition is cargo and passenger capacity, not operating economy.

Buying guides: Buyer's Guide | Financing Guide | Pre-Buy Inspection

Buying a Used Cessna 404

Buying a Cessna 404 comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:

What to check before buying

The Cessna 404 Titan is a twin-engine piston transport with ten seats and around 2,700 lbs useful load - the largest piston twin in Cessna's classic line, built for cargo and passenger work needing more capacity than the 402. Powered by two 375-hp geared, turbocharged Continental GTSIO-520 engines, it cruises around 200 knots with 1,100 nm range, serving cargo carriers, charter operators, and commuter routes.

The Titan's niche. The 404 sits above the 402 (nine seats, 300 hp) and below turbine aircraft in the utility hierarchy. Its 2,700 lb useful load and large cargo door (on freighters) make it genuinely useful for freight. Many Titans have run continuous commercial service; airframe hours and corrosion history from coastal or tropical operations are the critical pre-buy variables.

Maintenance intensity. The geared, turbocharged GTSIO-520 engines carry a high overhaul cost per cycle and demand experienced maintenance, and the commercial background means many examples have high total time. Engine condition and time-since-overhaul on both powerplants are the first evaluation. Parts are available but less abundant than for the common 402.

Buy it if you need maximum piston-twin payload for cargo, charter, or commuter operations - and the 404's economics fit the revenue model. As with the 402, personal ownership is uncommon; the Titan earns its cost in commercial service.

Frequently Asked Questions — Cessna 404

About the Cessna 404 Titan
The Cessna 404 Titan was produced 1976–1982, using two geared, turbocharged Continental GTSIO-520-M engines (375 hp each). It is an unpressurized twin designed for utility and cargo operations — larger than the 310 family, seating eight to ten in passenger configuration, and cruising approximately 200–210 kt. The 404 was widely used as a commuter and air-taxi aircraft through the 1980s — a similar market to the 402 but with more powerful engines for better altitude and hot-and-high performance.
404 Titan vs 402 — which cargo/commuter twin?
The 404 uses geared 375-hp GTSIO-520-M engines versus the 402's turbocharged 300-hp TSIO-520. The 404 delivers more power, higher capacity, and better high-altitude and density-altitude performance. The 402 is simpler and less expensive to operate — no gearbox and lower-output engines. For operations at high-elevation airports or in hot climates where the 402's power margin is limiting, the 404's additional power is the practical advantage.
What are common Cessna 404 maintenance issues?
Both GTSIO-520-M engines, with turbocharger and gearbox maintenance (wastegate, intercoolers, exhaust under turbo heat, plus the reduction-gearbox condition). Cargo-floor condition on freight-used examples. Structural inspection on aircraft that may have accumulated significant cycles in commercial operations. A pre-buy by a shop experienced with geared, turbocharged Cessna twins is essential.
Is the Cessna 404 still used commercially?
Yes — the 404 remains in active service in cargo and charter operations, particularly in markets where its rugged utility and cargo capacity are valued. There has been no new production since the early 1980s. Parts support is available through the commercial Cessna twin network.
404 Titan vs Cessna 425 Conquest I — piston twin vs turboprop
The 425 Conquest I uses PT6A turboprop engines — higher reliability per flight hour, better hot-and-high performance, and the turboprop operating-cost structure (higher per-hour but lower unscheduled maintenance). The 404's GTSIO-520s are geared piston engines with piston overhaul schedules. For high-utilization commercial operations where reliability and dispatch rate matter, the turboprop advantage of the 425 can justify its higher acquisition cost.

Cessna 404 Inventory by Country

Australia1
Kenya1
Netherlands1

Cessna 404 by Price

Under $200k1
Under $300k1
Under $500k2

Cessna 404 by Decade

1970s1
1980s1

Cessna 404 Safety Record

Across all 404 variants, 39 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 1982–2024. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.

39

Total Events

22

Incidents

3

Serious

12

Fatal

Most Recent Events

Date Location Severity Probable Cause
Oct 03, 2024 Les Cayes, OF Fatal (3) —
Sep 18, 2021 Sheridan, WY Incident The pilot experiencing an episode of impaired behavior and incapacitation for reasons that could not be determined based…
Mar 11, 2020 Lockhart River, Fatal (5) —
Dec 30, 2014 Englewood, CO Fatal (1) The loss of power to the right engine for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination and teard…
Apr 07, 2010 Ponce, PR Incident A loss of power to the right engine for undetermined reasons.

NTSB records 1982–2024. Includes all Cessna 404 variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.

Disclaimer: All prices, cost estimates, and market values shown are based on asking prices from third-party sources and are provided for informational purposes only. AeroGurus is not an appraiser, broker, or financial advisor. Always obtain a professional appraisal and independent inspection before making a purchase decision.
Listings last refreshed 1 hour ago · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data