[3] Cessna 401s and 402s are powered by 300 hp (224 kW) turbocharged Continental engines with three-bladed, constant speed, fully feathering propellers.

[3] In 1976, the very similar Cessna 421 was produced with a new wing, no tip tanks, and a simpler fuel system.

The engines' output was boosted to 325 hp (242 kW) each and max gross weight increased to 6,850 pounds (3,110 kg), creating a much more useful airplane.

Even with the weight increase, single-engine performance improved and the stall speed decreased by a couple of knots.

In 1969, American Jet Industries began work on a turboprop-powered conversion of the Cessna 402, named the Turbo Star 402, using Allison 250-B17 engines.

[9] This family of aircraft was built in several versions: The Cessna 402 has proven to be very dependable over the years, which, along with its range and passenger capacity, has made it a popular choice for many small regional airlines worldwide.

[13][14] American R&B singer Aaliyah died along with eight others, including the pilot, two hairstylists, a makeup artist, a bodyguard, and three record label professionals, when a Cessna 402B registered N8097W operated by Blackhawk International Airways, crashed shortly after takeoff on August 25, 2001, around 6:50 p.m. local time, in Marsh Harbour, Abaco Islands, The Bahamas.

The main cause of the crash was determined to be an improperly loaded aircraft, which was approximately 700 pounds (320 kg) over its maximum takeoff weight, with a center of gravity well aft of the envelope.

[29] Investigators discovered that the pilot, Luis Morales III, was unlicensed at the time of the crash and had traces of cocaine and alcohol in his system.

[33] On January 8, 2025, a Cessna 402C operated by Pacifica Aviation (officially Pacifica de Aviación) carrying 10 people flying from Juradó Airport, Columbia to Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport, Columbia crashed into a wooded mountainside, killing all 10 people on board.