I ran across a mid time Cessna 401 with high time engines but well equipped today that is for sale. This plane has been kept in a hangar and should be corrosion free. I'm hoping someone here can talk me out of this plane. The wing spar AD has not been complied with but it has a non WAAS 530/430. Paint is probably 6 and the interior is a 5. Props have about 600 hours on them.

What are the problems and what would be the firesale price on this plane?

Not pressurized. With prices as they are these days a 340 would be a better buy.

Not sure you wanted to hear this though

I turned down a nice 340 at 200 AMUs. I'm talking firesale.

Gotcha

After flying a TN A36, a 401 is going to feel like a moving van with the anchor out. Cabin class is nice, but only when you have more than 4 people does it make any difference. You really pay to haul around that much extra fuselage.

That said, my partner's 421 is a wonderful airplane. I've got a P Baron now which suits my mission a little better. The P Baron will blow by the 401 in the climb. The biggest difference is you will be giving up that beech "feel".

If I was looking at the 400 series, I would try to find a 421B or C model (preferably the C). The later model years had trailing link gear which is very nice. The geared engines are so quiet there is no need for passenger headsets.

Make sure you double check the times on the spar. They differ by model. There is also a S.B. on the 400 series planes regarding a corrosion inspection. This is an AD in other countries and basically requires a complete disassembly of the airplane. There is a 425 in Scottsdale which has been down for a couple of years now undergoing an "inspection".

Rick,

Boy it's be a long time since I messed with a 401, but as you know, there are a LOT better planes out there, and there's a few more questions....

First, why do you want one?

Second, I'd get nervous if the price were much more $30K, plus what the spar mod would cost.... on second thought... maybe $20K.... yea better offer.

On third thought, they would have to pay me to take it....

Rick,

Boy it's be a long time since I messed with a 401, but as you know, there are a LOT better planes out there, and there's a few more questions....

First, why do you want one?

Second, I'd get nervous if the price were much more $30K, plus what the spar mod would cost.... on second thought... maybe $20K.... yea better offer.

On third thought, they would have to pay me to take it....

Now Rick,

If you really want a non pressurized 8 place cabin twin, the only answer is the Navajo.... has no competition. One could argue the Twin Beech, or TBone (don't get me wrong, I'm a Beech guy), but they are different animals....

What is the difference between the 401 and 402 ?

Cape air is running 402s in scheduled service out of Boston into a number of smaller new england airports and in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. They would probably have a good idea on the long-term issues with those planes.

What do you need all the seats for ?

Don't do it.

If you do you'll be doing this.....................

Florian,

Big difference on 401 and 402. The 402 is much better layout, bigger nose, and is often set up for a commuter operation. The 401 is too small. I'm not a fan of either.

Instead of buying the 401, give me $30k and I will give you back $5k in a year. You will be $100k ahead. Does that make sense?

I would listen to Todd & Larry.

If you want a twin, wait a week or two and Todd will be dumping something and it will be better than this.

-MO

Larry

Was it the 401 that had the serious issue with the rudder? It was one of these low number 400 series planes. IIRC they were not of sufficient size to handle single engine operations or something such.

Not a small consideration in my book.

Do it. Counter offer with how much they'd be willing to pay you to take it away, then hold out for more money.