1981 Cessna 421C
Multi Engine Piston
Aircraft Details
Seller reportedAvionics & Equipment
IFRDescription
**New Lower Price, Incredible Value on this Aircraft** 1981 Cessna 421C Golden Eagle – Well-Maintained, No Damage History This 1981 Cessna 421C Golden Eagle is a clean, well-cared-for example and is offered for sale as the owner is moving up to a turboprop aircraft. N904BC is fresh out of an extensive annual, completed in December 2025, has no damage history, and is in compliance with all applicable ADs. Hangared at KORF (Norfolk, VA). Airframe: • 6,260 hours AFTT Engines: • Continental GTSIO-520-N engines • 1,312 hours SMOH (both engines) Propellers: • 888 hours since new The interior and exterior were professionally refurbished in 2022 and present in excellent, like-new condition. Avionics & Equipment: • Garmin G600 PFD • Dual Garmin GNS 530W GPS/NAV/COM • Garmin GTX 330 & GTX 327 transponders • Avidyne EX500 MFD • Bendix/King KFC 225 autopilot • JPI EDM-760 engine monitor • PS Engineering PMA-450 audio panel Maintenance Highlights: • Extensive annual completed December 2025 • No known damage history • All ADs complied with • Strong maintenance pedigree • Clean logs available for review This aircraft represents a solid opportunity to acquire a capable, pressurized piston twin with proven performance, modern avionics, and excellent cosmetic condition. Ideal for a Part 91 owner seeking a turnkey 421C. **Wood paneling currently removed but available and in good condition**
Engine
#4 Cylinder replaced 12/25 Compressions: #1 70/80, #2 65/80, #3 68/80, #4 62/80 (replaced), #5 70/80, #6 70/80 Oil Reports via Blackstone Laboratories
Propeller
Propellers installed New 5/2016
Interior
8th seat is available but not currently installed.
Inspection
Extensive Annual Inspection completed December 2025
Description and equipment details provided by the seller. AeroGurus does not verify seller-provided information.
Price Comparison 1 active offer
| Source | Price | Location | Listed | Days on Market | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Weber Aviation
controller.com
|
$499,900
|
Libertyville, IL | Mar 25, 2026 | — | Active | |
|
Weber Aviation
controlleremea.co.uk
|
$508,637 *
GBP £377,938
|
Libertyville, IL | Apr 04, 2026 | — | Active | |
|
Weber Aviation
aviationtrader.com.au
|
$517,589
|
Libertyville, Illinois, Australia | Apr 03, 2026 | — | Active |
* Converted to USD at daily European Central Bank (ECB) exchange rates
Estimate Monthly Payment
Cessna 421C loan calculator
AeroGurus Data & Analysis
Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis
About This Cessna 421C
This 1981 Cessna 421C (N904BC) is a 8-seat multi engine piston with 6,260 hours on the airframe. There are currently 60 421C aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $100,000 to $749,000. This aircraft is priced above the market average at $499,900.
The 421C cruises at 230 kts (426 km/h) with a range of 1,385 nm (2,565 km) — suitable for regional and medium-distance travel.
Operating costs: Fuel burn is 35 GPH (132 L/h), which at current Jet-A prices (~$5.50/gal) means approximately $192/hr in fuel alone. Total variable cost including maintenance reserves is approximately $400/hr. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, crew, annual inspection) average $35,000. With 6,260 hours on the airframe, this aircraft has exceeded TBO (1,600 hrs) — verify engine status and overhaul reserve.
NTSB records show 0 incidents for this airframe — a clean safety record. There are 2 airworthiness directives applicable to this aircraft type — review AD compliance carefully before purchase. Mechanics have filed 10 service difficulty reports for this type — common maintenance items to discuss during pre-buy.
Pre-Purchase Checklist
Cessna 421C — Model Specs
Model specificationStandard specs for this model. Actual aircraft may differ.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
AeroGurus estimateCESSNA 421C
AeroGurus estimates based on industry averages for the CESSNA 421C. Actual costs vary by location, usage, maintenance history, and configuration. Not a financial quote.
Ownership & Registration
FAA registration data pending for N904BC.
Location & Ownership
Title Status
No FAA title records
Available for US-registered aircraft only
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry, FAA Civil Aviation Registry (DocIndex). Title data may be delayed. Always verify with an aviation attorney before purchase.
Safety Record
NTSB safety data coming soon.
We'll check N904BC against the NTSB accident database.
Airworthiness Directives — Cessna 421C
ADs are mandatory safety instructions issued by the FAA. 2 recent ADs found for this aircraft type.
The Cessna Aircraft Company Models 401, 401A, 401B, 402, 402A, 402B, 402C, 404, 411, 411A, 414, 414A, 421, 421A, 421B, 421C, 425, and 441 Airplanes
View full AD →Cessna Aircraft Company Models T303, 402C, 404, 414A, and 421C Airplanes
View full AD →Source: FAA Airworthiness Directives database. Showing most recent ADs for this aircraft type.
Service Difficulty Reports — Cessna 421C
SDRs are reports filed by mechanics about problems found during maintenance. 10 recent reports for this aircraft type.
LEFT WING FORWARD SPAR, OUTBOARD UPPER AFT-FACING WING ATTACH FITTING WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED WITHIN GEAR WELL. THE PART IS SHOWN IN THE 421C IPC, SECTION 03-50, PAGE 16, ITEM 6. THE CRACK MEASURES ROUGHLY 5-1/8" AND RUNS HORIZONTALLY ACROSS SEVEN RI...
SHORTLY AFTER FUELING AIRCRAFT WITH GAMI G100UL BOTH MAIN TANKS STARTED LEAKING FROM MOST INSPECTION PANELS. ALSO A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVES INDICATES THAT THE RIGHT ENGINE SELECTOR VALVE IS STUCK IN POSITION.
RIGHT PROP GOVERNOR FAILED APPROACHING LEVEL OFF FROM CLIMB. ENGINE SPIKED TO OVER 6,000 RPM, ENGINE RUINED, BROUGHT PROP CONTROL BACK TO NO AVAIL. THROTTLE BACK AND MIXTURE BACK TO GET ENGINE RPM DOWN. VISUAL PROP COMPLETELY ?AT, PROP WOULD NOT F...
INSTALLED A NEW DISC ON LT MLG. LT BRAKE PEDAL FLUCTUATES. CHECKED DISC, & FOUND TO BE .020 DIFFERENCE IN THICKNESS FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER. PART NOT MACHINED PROPERLY.
AN OCCURRENCE WAS REPORTED THAT HAPPENED AT RALEIGH AIRPORT (RDU), ON THE 05/09/2023 AT 1715 EDT. THE SAID AIRCRAFT, N382BW HAD JUST GOTTEN AIRBORNE AND RECEIVED AN ADVISORY FROM ATC THAT SMOKE WAS STREAMING FROM THE LEFT ENGINE. AIRSPEED WAS AT 97 K...
WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 19,000 FT, PILOT NOTICED THE RIGHT ENGINE SURGING. HE SUSPECTED IT WAS A FAILED FUEL PUMP AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION, HE THEN NOTICED MAP DROPPING AND A COMPLETE LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. THAT IS WHEN HE DECIDE...
WHEN PERFORMING TEST OF ALTERNATE STATIC SYSTEM, THE INSTRUMENTS WOULD NOT SHOW A CLIMB OR DESCENT. THE AIR DATA TEST SET BEHAVED AS THOUGH THERE WAS A MASSIVE STATIC LEAK OR DISCONNECTED LINE. WHEN THE TEST SET WAS CONNECTED TO THE STATIC PORTS ON...
PILOT NOTED THAT RIGHT ALTERNATOR FAILED IN FLIGHT. POST FLIGHT INSPECTION FOUND ENGINE GEAR, ALTERNATOR DRIVE, RETAINING BOLTS WERE NOT INSTALLED AND TWO WERE FOUND RESTING ON THE ALTERNATOR MOUNTING POINT INSIDE ENGINE CASE. OTHER TWO BOLTS WERE ...
INSPECTED REAR SPAR AND FOUND CORROSION ON AFT SPAR RT SIDE WHERE DOUBLE PLATE IS RIVETED TO SPAR. INTERGRANULAR CORROSION BETWEEN THE DOUBLE AND SPAR. ALSO NOTED RIVETS ARE POPPING OFF DUE TO THE SEVERE CORROSION.
AFT NACELLE CROSS BEAM CRACKED AT OUTBOARD MOUNT FLANGE.
Source: FAA Service Difficulty Reporting System. Shows maintenance issues reported by mechanics for this aircraft type.
Price History
AeroGurus Market Estimate AME
Similar Aircraft for Sale
