The Cessna 401 and 402 are a series of 6 to 10 seat, light twin-piston engine aircraft. All seats are easily removable so that the aircraft can be used in an all-cargo configuration. Another goal was to avoid using the somewhat expensive and maintenance prone geared engines of the Cessna 411.
The original Cessna 402 was introduced in 1967. A version without the large cargo door called the Cessna 401 was produced at the same time. The prototype flew on June 10, 1970.
The Cessna 402C may be outfitted with vortex generators to increase maximum allowable takeoff weight to , with a zero-fuel weight of .
Another modification for the 402C increases the maximum landing weight to , which allows commercial operators to fly with an increased payload on shorter routes.
Hendrik Venter of DMI engineering created the Falcon 402: a converted Cessna 402 fitted with a single Walter M601D turboprop in the nose and replacing the two piston engines in the wings with new fuel tanks. The nose was lengthened in order to correct the centre of gravity. It has an increased payload and top speed and can use shorter runways.
Variants
thumb|Early models have four oval windows, a short nose and tip tanks.
thumb|Later 402Cs have five windows, a longer nose for luggage and no tip tanks.
This family of aircraft was built in several versions:
;
:Six to eight seat interior, intended for corporate transport. Produced 1966–1972. The replacement for the 401 in the corporate transport role was the 402 Businessliner variant. Certified September 20, 1966.
;401A
:A 401 with minor changes. Certified October 29, 1968.
;
:A 401A with minor changes, later replaced by the 402B. Certified November 12, 1969.
Military
A Cessna 402C of the [[Coast Guard (Sweden)|Swedish Coast Guard in 1981|thumb|right]]