Cessna 401/402

Twin Piston· 253 globally registered

The Cessna 402 is a twin-engine piston utility aircraft that became the workhorse of American commuter aviation from the 1960s onward, bridging the gap between light singles and turbine equipment for short-haul scheduled service. Introduced in 1966 as a pressurization-delete derivative of the Cessna 401, the 402 was purpose-built for cargo and passenger operations where simplicity and operating economics mattered more than cabin comfort. Cessna produced the type in multiple variants through 1985, with the 402C Businessliner and Utiliner becoming the most common configurations, seating up to nine passengers or hauling freight in a cabin accessible through a large aft cargo door. Powered by twin Continental TSIO-520 engines producing 300 horsepower each, the 402 cruises around 190 knots and operates comfortably from runways under 3,000 feet, making it ideal for island-hopping routes and rural Essential Air Service contracts where larger aircraft cannot economically serve thin markets. Its rugged landing gear, straightforward systems, and relatively forgiving handling characteristics earned it a reputation as a reliable if unglamorous performer in the hands of regional carriers and air taxi operators. While newer turboprops have displaced the 402 from many scheduled routes, the type remains active in cargo, charter, and specialized roles where its combination of payload flexibility, short-field capability, and low acquisition cost still make sense. SkyMeter has tracked 1,024 flights across 95 airframes and 34 operators over routes, with HYANNIS AIR SERVICE INC the largest observed operator.