Cessna F406 Caravan II Aircraft 1980s

1980s turboprop twins are dominantly Beechcraft King Air 200 (the volume King Air of the era), King Air 90 series (C90, E90), and Cessna 441 Conquest II. PT6A engines from this era remain reliable with proper hot-section maintenance; airframes are well-supported via Textron/Beechcraft. Avionics typically Honeywell Primus or Collins; ADS-B and FANS retrofits are essentially universal on active aircraft. Mid-life airframes with current engine programs.

The Cessna F406 Caravan II is a twin-turboprop utility aircraft - two PT6A engines, built by Reims for cargo, surveillance and regional passenger operations.

Cessna F406 Caravan II aircraft for sale

1 used Cessna F406 Caravan II aircraft for sale 1980s · 12-seat · Reference price ~$1,500,000 ($900,000–$2,500,000) · updated 21 hours ago

Cessna F406 Caravan II Specifications

Model spec

The Cessna F406 Caravan II is a 12-seat multi engine turboprop with a cruise speed of 170–209 kt (315–387 km/h), a range of 912–1,153 nm (1,689–2,135 km), and a useful load of 3,000–4,000 lbs (1,361–1,814 kg).

Performance
Cruise170–209 kt (315–387 km/h)
Max Speed184–229 kt (341–424 km/h)
Range912–1,153 nm (1,689–2,135 km)
Service Ceiling25,000–30,000 ft (7,620–9,144 m)
Engine & Fuel
EnginePRATT & WHITNEY PT6A-112
Horsepower500–675 HP
Fuel Capacity200.0–335.0 gal (757–1,268 L)
Fuel Burn50.0–70.0 GPH (189–265 L/h)
TBO3,500 hrs
Weights & Seats
Seats10–14
Max Gross Weight8,000–10,361 lbs (3,629–4,700 kg)
Useful Load3,000–4,000 lbs (1,361–1,814 kg)
Production1985–present

Cessna F406 Caravan II for Sale

1987 Cessna F406 Caravan II

1987 Cessna F406 Caravan II for sale
Contact for Price
On Request
Total Time 15,322
Reg# D-ITTT Germany
Location Germany
Via Nineteen Hundred Aviation

Cessna F406 Caravan II Variants

Variant Years Seats Cruise Range Useful load Price range Best for Listings for sale
208 1984–now 10 170 kts (315 km/h) 1,070 nm (1,982 km) 3,300 lbs (1,497 kg) $1.4M – $3.3M Buy the 208 Caravan if you need rugged single-turbine utility — cargo, passengers, floats or skydiving — with PT6 reliability and an enormous support network. Consider the stretched 208B Grand Caravan for more cabin and payload, or a piston twin if lower acquisition cost matters more than turbine simplicity. 8
208B Grand Caravan 1986–now 14 175 kts (324 km/h) 912 nm (1,689 km) 4,000 lbs (1,814 kg) $1.4M – $3.7M Buy the 208B Grand Caravan for maximum single-turbine payload and cabin — the workhorse for freight, commuter, skydive and float operations. Consider the shorter 208 Caravan if you need less cabin at lower cost, or a turboprop twin if you require two-engine redundancy. 19

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Cessna F406 Caravan II Price & Cost

Cessna F406 Caravan II 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 F406 Caravan II Cost of Ownership estimate
Fuel (70.0 GPH × $6.20, 100 hrs)$43,400/yr
Annual Fixed (hangar, insurance, annual)$65,000/yr
Variable (per hour)$750/hr
Engine Overhaul (every 3,500 hrs)$320,000
Estimates at 100 flight hours/year. Actual costs vary by usage, location and insurance.

The F406's dominant cost drivers are the two PT6A-112 engines — the same engine family as the Conquest I, with PT6's well-established overhaul and maintenance ecosystem. Track each engine independently for TBO status and hot-section timing. The Reims Aviation build means parts and specialised maintenance are primarily sourced through European channels; factor in potential lead times for airframe-specific components outside the Reims support network.

Cessna F406 Caravan II Value by Model Year

Median asking price by year of manufacture. Newer airframes command a premium; value falls with age then plateaus on older models.

$2995K $2322K $1650K
$1822K
$1650K
$2150K
$2650K
$2572K
$2650K
$2522K
$2995K
’93
’08
’13
’16

Lowest around $1,650,000 (2002 models) · highest around $2,995,000 (2022). Bars scaled across the range to show the depreciation curve; hover for exact medians.

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

Buying a Used Cessna F406 Caravan II

Buying a Cessna F406 Caravan II comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:

What to check before buying

The Cessna F406 Caravan II is a light twin turboprop produced by Reims Aviation in France under Cessna licence — not to be confused with the single-engine 208 Caravan family. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-112 engines (approximately 500 shp each), it was built primarily for utility, maritime patrol, and commuter roles rather than executive transport.

Reims Aviation build — not a Wichita Cessna: The F406 was designed and manufactured by Reims Aviation (Reims, France), a long-time Cessna licensee, rather than at Cessna's Kansas facilities. Support, parts, and maintenance expertise for the F406 are concentrated among Reims-trained shops, primarily in Europe and regions with strong Reims Aviation service networks. Confirm your maintenance base has F406-specific experience before purchase.

Mission profile: The F406 was built for utility and surveillance roles — freight, coast-guard patrol, maritime surveillance, and short-haul commuter — rather than business travel. Examples on the market often have working-aircraft histories (high utilisation, cargo, floats), which affects airframe condition and equipment configuration. Review mission history and installed equipment carefully.

PT6A-112 engines: The PT6A-112 is the same engine used in the Conquest I — a well-supported, proven free-turbine turboprop. Two-engine economics apply: track each engine independently for time-since-overhaul, hot-section status, and program enrollment.

Crew: The F406 is typically operated with one or two pilots; some configurations allow single-pilot operation. Confirm the type rating and crew requirements for any intended operation.

Buy it if: you need a utility twin turboprop with PT6A reliability and a European support network — surveillance, freight, or rugged utility roles. For business passenger transport, the F406's working-aircraft cabin and Reims-specific support are a mismatch; a purpose-built factory passenger twin turboprop — such as a Beechcraft King Air or Cessna Conquest II — is a better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions — Cessna F406 Caravan II

What is the Cessna F406 Caravan II?
The Cessna F406 Caravan II is a twin-turboprop utility aircraft built by Reims Aviation (France) from the 1980s, powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-112 engines (around 500 shp each) and cruising approximately 209 kt. Despite the Caravan name it is unrelated to the single-engine 208 Caravan — it is a cabin-class twin turboprop used for surveillance, maritime patrol, cargo, and regional commuter roles, seating up to about 12.
What missions is the F406 used for?
The F406 is widely used in special-mission roles — maritime surveillance, fishery patrol, aerial survey, and law-enforcement work — as well as regional cargo and commuter operations. Its twin PT6A reliability, endurance, and ability to carry mission sensors make it a popular government and parapublic platform, particularly in Europe and coastal-patrol fleets.
What should I evaluate on an F406?
Both PT6A-112 engines (hot-section and overhaul status, tracked independently), any installed mission equipment and its airworthiness, the Reims-built airframe and parts availability (sourced through the European support network), and the avionics. Given the specialised role and relatively small fleet, confirm parts and maintenance support before purchase.
Is the F406 a practical aircraft to buy?
For operators with a specific surveillance, patrol, survey, or regional-utility mission, the F406's twin-turboprop capability and endurance are valuable. For general buyers it is a niche, European-built twin with a small fleet and specialised support — most would be better served by a 208 Caravan or a conventional twin. Buy on mission fit, engine status, and confirmed parts support.

Cessna F406 Caravan II Inventory by Country

United Kingdom2
Germany1

Cessna F406 Caravan II Inventory by State

Florida6
Arizona4
Texas4
Kansas3
Oklahoma3
Connecticut2

Cessna F406 Caravan II Safety Record

No NTSB events on record for the Cessna F406 Caravan II. Individual aircraft safety records may be available on detail pages.

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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.
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