De Havilland DHC-2 Aircraft 1950s
Pre-1980 piston singles are heritage airframes that have typically been rebuilt and refurbished multiple times — original avionics replaced with modern Garmin or Avidyne panels, engines on at least one mid-time overhaul cycle, interiors refreshed once or twice. Pre-buy focus: airframe corrosion (especially wing carry-through, tail, gear), AD compliance history, log-book continuity, engine cylinder borescope. Heritage value can be meaningful for original aircraft in restored condition.
18 used De Havilland DHC-2 aircraft for sale 1950s · 6-seat · $325K – $1.2M · updated 5 min ago
About the De Havilland DHC-2
The de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver is widely regarded as the greatest bush plane ever built — a six-seat, single-engine STOL aircraft powered by a Pratt and Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior radial engine (450 HP) that can operate from any surface: water, gravel, grass, snow, or pavement. Built from 1947 to 1967 with only 1,657 produced, the Beaver has become an appreciating collectible — surviving examples increase in value every year as supply shrinks and demand from tour operators, lodges, and adventure operators only grows.
The Beaver's round-engine sound, massive useful load (2,100 lbs), and legendary STOL capability (takeoff in 600 feet on wheels) make it irreplaceable in bush operations from Alaska to British Columbia to East Africa. On Edo 4580 or Wipaire 4000 floats, the Beaver is the standard Pacific Northwest floatplane.
Turbine conversions (Texas Turbine/Blackhawk PT6A-34 or -21, 550-680 SHP) replace the aging radial engine with turboprop reliability and add $300,000-$500,000 to value. Turbine Beavers cruise at 120-130 KTAS with dramatically improved climb performance and payload.
Buying advice. Wing spar condition is the most critical structural item — verify compliance with all service bulletins. Float attachment fittings, belly skins, and lower fuselage longerons require careful corrosion inspection. For radial-engine Beavers, R-985 cylinder condition, oil consumption, and accessory case integrity are key items. Turbine conversions require verification of the STC, engine condition, and installation quality.
Market. Radial-engine Beaver on wheels: $400,000-$800,000. On floats: $500,000-$1.2M. Turbine Beaver on amphibious floats: $800,000-$1.5M+. A de Havilland Beaver for sale is a trophy asset that appreciates while you fly it.
De Havilland DHC-2 Specifications
Model specThe De Havilland DHC-2 is a 6-seat single engine piston with a cruise speed of 109 kt (202 km/h), a range of 395 nm (732 km).
18 De Havilland DHC-2 For Sale
Browse all 18 listings →There are currently 18 used De Havilland DHC-2 for sale, ranging from $325,000 to $1,225,000, with a median asking price of $695,000.
De Havilland DHC-2 Variants
| Variant | Years | Seats | Cruise | Range | Useful load | Price range | Best for | Listings for sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHC-2 MK I | 1947–1967 | — | — | — | — | $325K – $1.2M | — | 9 |
| DHC-2T | 1946–1996 | — | — | — | — | $1.1M – $1.6M | — | 2 |
Compare De Havilland DHC-2
Detailed comparisons for the De Havilland DHC-2 are being prepared.
Browse all De Havilland models →De Havilland DHC-2 Price & Cost
How much does a De Havilland DHC-2 cost? Used DHC-2 prices: $325K – $1.2M, average $685K (median $695K), across 15 priced of 18 active listings.
Based on 9 priced listings.
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.
Buying a Used De Havilland DHC-2
Every De Havilland DHC-2 faces a mandatory 1,500-hour overhaul, so the single biggest factor in used price is how much time remains before that overhaul is due — a fresh-overhaul airframe can be worth a large share of the $50,000 overhaul cost more than one approaching its limit.
What to check before buying
- Time to overhaul — hours and years remaining to the 1,500-hour limit; this dominates resale value more than total time.
- Logbook completeness — continuous, gap-free maintenance records; missing logs cut value and complicate financing.
- Damage history — any prior accident, hard landing or blade strike; cross-check the registration against accident databases.
- Avionics — a glass panel vs steam gauges materially changes price.
- Pre-buy inspection — always commission an independent inspection by a type-experienced mechanic before money changes hands.
Frequently Asked Questions — De Havilland DHC-2
Why are De Havilland DHC-2 Beavers so expensive?
What does Beaver maintenance actually cost?
Should I buy a piston Beaver or a turbine conversion?
De Havilland DHC-2 Inventory by Country
| Canada | 5 |
| United States | 2 |
| New Zealand | 1 |
De Havilland DHC-2 Inventory by State
| South Carolina | 2 |
De Havilland DHC-2 by Price
| Under $500k | 6 |
De Havilland DHC-2 Safety Record
Across all DHC-2 variants, 147 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 1982–2020. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.
Most Recent Events
| Date | Location | Severity | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 31, 2020 | Soldotna, AK | Fatal (7) | The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane. Contributing to the accident were (1) the PA-12 pilot’s … |
| Jun 27, 2019 | Ketchikan, AK | Incident | A loss of directional control while landing, which resulted in a water loop. |
| May 13, 2019 | Ketchikan, AK | Fatal (6) | The inherent limitations of the see-and-avoid concept, which prevented the two pilots from seeing the other airplane bef… |
| Aug 05, 2018 | Talkeetna, AK | Fatal (5) | Impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not recovered due to the inaccessi… |
| Jul 19, 2018 | Willow, AK | Fatal (1) | The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during departure climb, which resulted in an aerodynam… |
NTSB records 1982–2020. Includes all De Havilland DHC-2 variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.