Cessna 421B Aircraft in Montana

← Cessna 421 family

The Cessna 421B Golden Eagle is the mid-production cabin-class pressurized twin (1968-1975) — an up-to-eight-seat aircraft on geared, turbocharged 375-hp Continental GTSIO-520 engines that brought near-airliner comfort to the piston market. It cruises near 230 kt pressurized and is the predecessor to the more-refined 421C, so the choice between them is year, systems and condition. As with all 421s the defining cost is the geared GTSIO engines and pressurization upkeep, not the airframe.

Cessna 421B aircraft for sale

· 8-seat · Used median asking $254,000 · Project from $150,000 · updated recently

Cessna 421B Specifications

Model spec

The Cessna 421B 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-H
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)
Production1968–1975

Cessna 421B for Sale

Cessna 421B asking prices range from $179,000 to $375,000, with a median of $254,000 (market reference $300,000).

No Cessna 421B currently listed for sale.

This page updates automatically the moment one is listed — check back soon, or browse the Cessna range.

Cessna 421B Variants

Variant Years Seats Cruise Range Useful load Price range Best for Listings for sale
421 1968–1985 8 230 kts (426 km/h) 1,385 nm (2,565 km) 2,450 lbs (1,111 kg) $219K – $615K Choose the 421C for the best-handling, most refined Golden Eagle with its wet-wing fuel system and the highest cruise speed — the model to buy if budget allows. Choose the 421B for a lengthened cabin at a lower entry price. The original 421 is the cheapest entry into pressurized cabin-class twin ownership. 7
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

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Cessna 421B Price & Cost

How much does a Cessna 421B cost? Used 421B prices: $179K – $375K, average $254K (median $254K); market reference $300K, across 10 priced of 0 active listings.

Cessna 421B 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 421B Cost of Ownership estimate
Fuel (34.0 GPH × $6.20, 100 hrs)$21,080/yr
Annual Fixed (hangar, insurance, annual)$42,000/yr
Variable (per hour)$420/hr
Engine Overhaul (every 1,600 hrs)$48,000
Estimates at 100 flight hours/year. Actual costs vary by usage, location and insurance.

The 421B's dominant cost driver is the GTSIO-520-H overhaul on both engines — geared Continental engines cost more per overhaul than un-geared pistons, and the 421B runs two. Track each engine's time-since-overhaul and cylinder health independently. Pressurisation-system maintenance (seals, outflow valves) adds a recurring cost absent from unpressurised twins; budget for it at the time-of-purchase inspection.

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

Buying a Used Cessna 421B

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

What to check before buying

The Cessna 421B Golden Eagle is a variant of the 421 pressurised piston twin line — built in the early-to-mid 1970s, between the 421A and the later 421C that most buyers reference. It offers genuine cabin pressurisation in a piston twin, with tip-tank fuel (the wet-wing fuel system arrived later, on the 421C).

Engine: Two Continental GTSIO-520-H engines. The GTSIO (Geared, Turbo-Supercharged) is a complex, high-output piston — geared reduction adds a layer of maintenance not present in un-geared Continentals. Unlike the PT6A-powered Conquest I, the 421B has no turbine simplicity; engine condition and overhaul timing are the dominant pre-buy variable.

Versus the 421C: Most buyers default to the 421C for its later production, wet-wing fuel, landing-gear improvements, and wider pool of shop experience. At comparable prices, the 421C is generally preferred. The 421B is appropriate where a documented, well-maintained example is available at a meaningful discount.

Pressurisation: The 421B offers genuine cabin pressurisation — rare in piston-twin price brackets. Pressurisation seals, outflow valves, and the differential-pressure system require careful inspection; these components are expensive and often deferred on older aircraft.

Buy it if: you want pressurised piston-twin capability with a documented history, and your maintenance base has GTSIO-520 experience. Prioritise engine condition and hot-section status above all else at pre-buy; the GTSIO-520's overhaul cost is the dominant ownership risk.

Frequently Asked Questions — Cessna 421B

About the Cessna 421B
The Cessna 421B was produced approximately 1970–1972, powered by two geared, turbosupercharged Continental GTSIO-520-D engines (375 hp each) in the pressurized Golden Eagle airframe. The 421B is a transitional variant between the original 421 and the improved 421C — it benefits from early refinements while retaining the GTSIO-520 engine family that defines the Golden Eagle.
What distinguishes the 421B from the 421 and 421C?
The 421B incorporated early production refinements over the base 421. The 421C (1975+) introduced a wet wing, an improved fuel system, and other operational improvements over the B. For buyers, the 421C is generally preferred for its wet-wing fuel system; the 421B is the lower-cost entry into the Golden Eagle pressurized-twin family.
What are the GTSIO-520's maintenance demands?
The GTSIO-520 is a geared, turbosupercharged engine — more complex than the naturally aspirated IO-520 or the non-geared TSIO-520. It requires shops experienced specifically with geared supercharged Continentals, which narrows the maintenance network. GTSIO-520 overhaul is available but more expensive than comparable-power naturally aspirated engines, and the gear reduction adds a maintenance variable absent on ungeared engines.
What to inspect on a used 421B?
GTSIO-520-D health on both engines (gearbox, turbocharger, fuel injection, compression). Pressurization system: seals, outflow valve, differential-pressure controller. Fuel-bladder condition. Landing gear. Any structural repairs or incidents. Track both engine logs independently — a time mismatch between engines affects value and required maintenance timing.
421B vs Cessna 340 — which pressurized twin?
The 421B has more power and more cabin volume than the 340 — it is the larger, more capable aircraft. The 340 is the lower-cost, simpler entry to pressurized-twin ownership. For owner-pilots who need maximum cabin volume and range, the 421B is the choice; for owner-pilots who want pressurization at the lowest practical acquisition and operating cost, the 340 is the pragmatic entry.

Cessna 421B Inventory by Country

United States15
United Kingdom1

Cessna 421B Inventory by State

Florida15
Texas14
California11
Illinois4
Oklahoma4
North Carolina3
Ohio3
Georgia2
Michigan2
Montana2

Cessna 421B by Price

Under $200k9
Under $300k22
Under $500k57

Recently Sold Cessna 421B

1973 421B$179,000

Cessna 421B Safety Record

Across all 421B variants, 104 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 1982–2022. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.

104

Total Events

52

Incidents

11

Serious

31

Fatal

Most Recent Events

Date Location Severity Probable Cause
Jul 16, 2022 Riverdale, NE Minor A total loss of engine power as a result of fuel exhaustion.
Jan 10, 2021 Old Bethpage, NY Serious The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion an…
Jun 05, 2018 Rock Sound, Fatal (3) —
Jun 22, 2017 Carlsbad, CA Incident The right main landing gear collapse for undetermined reasons.
Oct 14, 2015 Hammond, LA Fatal (2) The loss of right engine power on takeoff due to maintenance personnel's failure to properly tighten the crankcase throu…

NTSB records 1982–2022. Includes all Cessna 421B 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 recently · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data