Cessna 421 Aircraft in Michigan

Michigan has a strong GA presence around Detroit (PTK, DET), Grand Rapids (GRR), Traverse City and the Upper Peninsula. Cold-weather operations are routine. Significant automotive aviation presence (corporate flight departments). Surrounded by Great Lakes water — overwater flying considerations on certain routes.

The Cessna 421 Golden Eagle is the flagship pressurised piston twin in Cessna's line — produced 1967-1985 with twin geared Continental GTSIO-520 engines, six-to-eight seats in a pressurised cabin, and cruise ~230 knots. The geared engines give cabin-class power but require specialist maintenance. The 421C is the final and most refined version, with a bigger wing and improved systems.

Cessna 421 aircraft for sale

2 used Cessna 421 aircraft for sale in Michigan · 8-seat · Used median asking $393,000 · updated 2026-07-06

Cessna 421 Specifications

Model spec

The Cessna 421 is a 8-seat multi engine piston with a cruise speed of 230 kt (426 km/h), a range of 1,385 nm (2,565 km), and a useful load of 2,450 lbs (1,111 kg).

Performance
Cruise230 kt (426 km/h)
Max Speed240–243 kt (444–450 km/h)
Range1,385 nm (2,565 km)
Service Ceiling30,200 ft (9,205 m)
Engine & Fuel
EngineCONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-D
Horsepower375 HP
Fuel Capacity130.0–213.0 gal (492–806 L)
Fuel Burn34.0–35.0 GPH (129–132 L/h)
TBO1,600 hrs
ICAO TypeC421
Weights & Seats
Seats8
Max Gross Weight7,450 lbs (3,379 kg)
Useful Load2,450 lbs (1,111 kg)
Production1968–1985

Cessna 421 for Sale

Cessna 421 asking prices range from $219,000 to $615,000, with a median of $393,000.

1976 Cessna 421C

1976 Cessna 421C for sale
$180,000
For Sale
Total Time 10,610
Reg# N4492U US
Location Wixom, MI
Via Drew Temple

1981 Cessna 421C

1981 Cessna 421C for sale below typical asking range
$349,000
For Sale
Total Time 6,200
Reg# N600DC US
Location Dexter, MI
Via Herron Aviation Group
Multiple sources
Listed 1mo ago

Cessna 421 Variants

Variant Years Seats Cruise Range Useful load Price range Best for Listings for sale
421B 1968–1975 8 230 kts (426 km/h) 1,385 nm (2,565 km) 2,450 lbs (1,111 kg) $179K – $375K A capable mid-production Golden Eagle — a pressurised cabin-class piston twin offering near-turboprop comfort at a more affordable point in the 421 range. 10
421C 1976–1985 8 230 kts (426 km/h) 1,385 nm (2,565 km) 2,450 lbs (1,111 kg) $100K – $735K The definitive, most-refined Golden Eagle — the cabin-class pressurised piston twin to buy if you want the best-developed 421. 55

Compare Cessna 421

See how the Cessna 421 stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.

⏲ Compare 340 vs 414 vs 421 →
Cessna 421 vs Cessna 414 Cessna 421 vs Cessna 340 Cessna 421 vs Piper Navajo Cessna 421 vs Cessna 310 Cessna 421 vs Cessna 402 Cessna 421 vs Aerostar 601P

Cessna 421 Price & Cost

How much does a Cessna 421 cost? Used 421 prices: $219K – $615K, average $393K (median $393K), across 7 priced of 2 active listings.

Cessna 421 Price Guide

Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.

Cessna 421 Cost of Ownership estimate
Fuel (35.0 GPH × $6.20, 100 hrs)$21,700/yr
Annual Fixed (hangar, insurance, annual)$35,000/yr
Variable (per hour)$400/hr
Engine Overhaul (every 1,600 hrs)$50,000
Estimates at 100 flight hours/year. Actual costs vary by usage, location and insurance.

The 421's GTSIO-520 engines burn approximately 38-42 gph combined at cruise - the highest fuel burn in the Cessna piston-twin line, appropriate to the performance delivered. Gearbox maintenance is the 421's distinguishing expense above the 414; a gearbox overhaul is a significant item requiring a specialist shop. A two-engine, pressurized, geared-engine annual is the most comprehensive and expensive in the piston-twin fleet. The 421 suits operators who can justify its performance and management requirements; it is not recommended for those unfamiliar with geared piston-twin maintenance.

Buying guides: Buyer's Guide | Financing Guide | Pre-Buy Inspection

Buying a Used Cessna 421

Buying a Cessna 421 comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:

What to check before buying

The Cessna 421 Golden Eagle is an eight-seat, pressurized, turbocharged twin powered by two Continental GTSIO-520 geared engines (375 hp each) - retractable gear, approximately 230 knots cruise, 1,385 nm range, and a 30,200-foot ceiling. It is the top of Cessna's piston-twin production line and among the most capable certificated piston twins built in volume. The GTSIO-520 is a geared engine - a distinction with significant maintenance implications.

GTSIO-520: geared-engine buyer context. The GTSIO-520 uses a reduction gearbox between crankshaft and propeller, developing 375 hp while turning the propeller more slowly. Geared engines produce high power, but the gearing adds a maintenance dimension absent from direct-drive engines. Buyers must confirm the GTSIO-520s are in genuinely good condition with documented gearbox history, overhauled by a shop with specific GTSIO-520 experience, and that a qualified mechanic is accessible - gearbox condition is the single most important inspection item beyond standard compressions.

421 versus 414 Chancellor. The 421 offers about 20 more knots and more range than the 414 through the GTSIO-520's higher output. For operators who can manage geared-engine maintenance, it provides the highest piston-twin performance in the Cessna line; for those who prefer to avoid geared engines, the 414 offers similar pressurized eight-seat capability at lower maintenance complexity.

Buy it if you need the highest-performance piston twin Cessna built - 375 hp per side, 230 knots, pressurized eight-seat capacity - and are prepared to manage the GTSIO-520 geared-engine commitment with access to a qualified engine shop.

Frequently Asked Questions — Cessna 421

About the Cessna 421 Golden Eagle
The Cessna 421 Golden Eagle is the flagship of the Cessna piston-twin line, produced 1967–1985. It uses two geared, turbosupercharged Continental GTSIO-520 engines (375 hp each), seats up to eight passengers, and cruises approximately 235–250 kt in pressurized comfort. The 421 was Cessna's answer to the question of how close a piston twin could get to a turboprop — and it remains one of the fastest piston twins ever certified.
What makes the GTSIO-520 different from the TSIO-520?
The GTSIO-520 is a geared, turbosupercharged engine — a reduction gearbox between the engine and propeller allows a larger, slower-turning prop at high engine power, improving efficiency and reducing cabin noise. The downside: the gear-reduction system adds maintenance complexity and overhaul cost above the non-geared TSIO-520. GTSIO-520 overhaul is the dominant operating-cost variable for the 421.
What are common Cessna 421 problems to look for?
GTSIO-520 engine health on both engines, with gearbox condition as the primary addition versus TSIO-520 aircraft. Pressurization system integrity. The 421C Golden Eagle (1976 onward) introduced wet-wing fuel tanks, eliminating the bladder-tank issues of earlier variants — pre-421C aircraft need careful fuel-tank inspection. Airframe pressurization-cycle fatigue inspection. A pre-buy must be by a 421-specialist shop — the GTSIO-520 is not a general piston-twin engine.
How does the 421 compare to a light turboprop?
At ~235–250 kt cruise, the 421 overlaps with entry-level turboprops in speed while remaining in the piston-engine operating-cost bracket — lower fuel cost than jet-A turboprops, but higher maintenance cost per hour than most single-engine turboprops. For operations that don't require turboprop range or climb performance, the 421 can be cost-competitive at lower acquisition prices than comparable turboprops.
How much does the 421 cost to operate?
GTSIO-520 overhaul cost is the dominant variable — higher than any other Cessna piston engine family. Two engines, a pressurization system, and the complexity of geared turbosupercharged engines require a substantial maintenance budget. For current prices, see the listings above.
Is the Cessna 421 still a practical aircraft?
Yes, for operations that can support its maintenance requirements. The 421 community is active, though GTSIO-520 overhaul shops are more specialized than TSIO-520 facilities. No new production since 1985. A well-maintained 421C is a genuine business aircraft at piston-twin acquisition prices.

Cessna 421 Inventory by Country

United States81
Germany5
Canada1
Spain1
United Kingdom1
Denmark1

Cessna 421 Inventory by State

Florida15
Texas14
California11
Illinois4
Oklahoma4
North Carolina3
Ohio3
Georgia2
Michigan2
Montana2

Cessna 421 by Price

Under $200k9
Under $300k22
Under $500k58

Cessna 421 by Decade

1970s1
1980s1

Recently Sold Cessna 421

1976 421$397,800
1977 421C$314,000
1973 421B$179,000
1977 421C$339,000

Cessna 421 Safety Record

Across all 421 variants, 326 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 1982–2024. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.

326

Total Events

152

Incidents

23

Serious

121

Fatal

Most Recent Events

Date Location Severity Probable Cause
Aug 31, 2024 Fairview, OR Fatal (2) —
Jul 18, 2024 Tofino, Fatal (3) —
Jun 17, 2024 Steamboat Springs, CO Fatal (2) The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed following a loss of engine power, which resulted in an inadvertent a…
Feb 21, 2024 Tapachula, Incident —
Jan 08, 2024 Carson City, NV Incident Airport personnel’s failure to properly prioritize their response actions, including updating the airport’s automated we…

NTSB records 1982–2024. Includes all Cessna 421 variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.

Disclaimer: All prices, cost estimates, and market values shown are based on asking prices from third-party sources and are provided for informational purposes only. AeroGurus is not an appraiser, broker, or financial advisor. Always obtain a professional appraisal and independent inspection before making a purchase decision.
Listings last refreshed 2026-07-06 · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data