Cessna 421 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 326 events recorded from 1982 to 2024.

326

All Events

152

Incidents

28

Minor

23

Serious

121

Fatal (342 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Aug 31, 2024 Fairview, OR N421GP Fatal (2) substantial Investigation pending
Jul 18, 2024 Tofino, CA N264DC Fatal (3) Investigation pending
Jun 17, 2024 Steamboat Springs, CO N245T Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed following a loss of engine power, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall/spin at low a…

The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed following a loss of engine power, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall/spin at low altitude.

Feb 21, 2024 Tapachula, MX N421RN Incident Investigation pending
Jan 08, 2024 Carson City, NV N421TP Incident substantial
Airport personnel’s failure to properly prioritize their response actions, including updating the airport’s automated weather observation system recor…

Airport personnel’s failure to properly prioritize their response actions, including updating the airport’s automated weather observation system recording in a timely manner to notify incoming pilots of a runway closure, which resulted in an airplane striking an immobilized airplane on the runway during landing at night. Contributing to the accident was the airport’s inadequate emergency response plan.

Jan 07, 2024 Valledupar, OF HK4983 Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Dec 08, 2023 McGregor, TX N146TJ Incident substantial
The failure of the spring pin in the right propeller governor, which precluded the pilot from controlling the propeller pitch to maintain engine rpm, …

The failure of the spring pin in the right propeller governor, which precluded the pilot from controlling the propeller pitch to maintain engine rpm, resulting in a loss of engine thrust, excessive drag, and the subsequent forced landing to a field.

Nov 11, 2023 Lake City, FL N977SM Incident substantial A landing gear collapse following an aborted takeoff due to degraded climb performance for reasons that could not be determined.
Nov 10, 2023 Sunshine Coast, AS VH-VPY Fatal (3) unk Investigation pending
Jun 24, 2023 Rockport, TX N123SM Incident substantial
The failure of the left engine starter adapter gear, which resulted in catastrophic damage to other engine components, and the subsequent loss of engi…

The failure of the left engine starter adapter gear, which resulted in catastrophic damage to other engine components, and the subsequent loss of engine power.

Apr 05, 2023 Leesburg, VA N880JS Incident substantial
Separation of the left man landing gear scissor hardware, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent runway excursion during landi…

Separation of the left man landing gear scissor hardware, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent runway excursion during landing.

Nov 18, 2022 Decatur, TX N6797L Fatal (1) destroyed A loss of power on the left engine due to fuel starvation and the subsequent loss of power on the right engine for undetermined reasons.
Jul 16, 2022 Riverdale, NE N21GF Minor substantial A total loss of engine power as a result of fuel exhaustion.
May 15, 2022 Monroe, LA N619AC Incident substantial
The failure of the maintenance personnel to properly reinstall the elevator trim tab hardware, which resulted in an in-flight separation of the elevat…

The failure of the maintenance personnel to properly reinstall the elevator trim tab hardware, which resulted in an in-flight separation of the elevator.

May 06, 2022 Houston, TX XB-FQS Minor substantial The fixed-base operator’s incorrect fueling of the airplane, which resulted in a total loss of power in both engines.
Jul 13, 2021 Monterey, CA N678SW Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control due to spatial disorientation during an instrument departure procedure in instrument meteorological c…

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control due to spatial disorientation during an instrument departure procedure in instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent instrument flying experience.

Jul 10, 2021 Longmont, CO N66NC Minor substantial The loss of performance for reasons that could not be determined.
Mar 12, 2021 Franklin, NC N80056 Incident substantial The reason for this accident could not be determined based on the available information.
Feb 22, 2021 St. Marys, PA N84HA Minor substantial
The pilot’s decision to continue the approach to a snow-covered runway in low-visibility conditions with limited ability to visually differentiate the…

The pilot’s decision to continue the approach to a snow-covered runway in low-visibility conditions with limited ability to visually differentiate the left runway edge from the snow berm that ran along that side of the runway.

Jan 10, 2021 Old Bethpage, NY N421DP Serious (1) substantial The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a forced landing.
Sep 29, 2019 Deland, FL N731PF Fatal (3) destroyed
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing was the pilot’s lack of training and…

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing was the pilot’s lack of training and experience in the accident airplane make and model.

Jun 09, 2019 Moriarty, NM N421WL Incident substantial The pilot's improper landing flare in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing.
Mar 17, 2019 Plain City, OH N424TW Fatal (1) destroyed A loss of airspeed indication due to icing of the airplane's pitot probe, and the pilot's loss of control while maneuvering.
Feb 15, 2019 Canadian, TX N421NS Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while in instrument meteorological conditions with icing conditions present, which resulted in…

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while in instrument meteorological conditions with icing conditions present, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin into terrain.

Feb 10, 2019 Woodruff, WI N581CJ Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain to directional control during takeoff from a snow-covered runway with a right, quartering tailwind, which resulted in …

The pilot's failure to maintain to directional control during takeoff from a snow-covered runway with a right, quartering tailwind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a snowbank.

Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.
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