How many accidents has the Cessna 421 had?

The NTSB has recorded 326 events involving the Cessna 421: 121 fatal, 23 serious, 28 minor injuries, and 152 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 421 a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 421 has 326 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 421 Safety Record

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

326

All Events

152

Incidents

Minor

Serious

121

Fatal (342 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Jul 29, 1994	OSHKOSH, WI	N819RA	Incident	substantial	the pilot-in-command's misjudging the flare and his failure to maintain airspeed.
May 03, 1994	RICHLANDS, VA	N2211W	Incident	substantial	THE HARD LANDING, AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED RATE OF DESCENT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LIMITED EXPERIENCE IN THIS MA… THE HARD LANDING, AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED RATE OF DESCENT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LIMITED EXPERIENCE IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL AIRPLANE.
Feb 28, 1994	LAGRANGE, GA	N421HA	Incident	minor	THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL SWERVE OFF THE TAXIWAY TO AVOID A GROUND COLLISION. A FACTOR IN THE INCIDENT WAS AN UNDETERMINED MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRPLANE'S… THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL SWERVE OFF THE TAXIWAY TO AVOID A GROUND COLLISION. A FACTOR IN THE INCIDENT WAS AN UNDETERMINED MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRPLANE'S NORMAL BRAKE SYSTEM.
Feb 23, 1994	TULARE, CA	N7039T	Incident	substantial	the pilot's use of an excessive taxi speed, and his misjudgment of the distance to the approaching intersection. A factor in the accident was the dar… the pilot's use of an excessive taxi speed, and his misjudgment of the distance to the approaching intersection. A factor in the accident was the dark night lighting conditions which effected the pilot's perception of the taxiway layout.
Nov 10, 1993	MIAMI, FL	N1600B	Incident	substantial	FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO OBTAIN THE PROPER ASSISTANCE AFTER BEING NOTIFIED OF A FUEL LEAK FROM THE LEFT WING FUEL TANKS AFTER REFUELING.
Jun 19, 1993	ARUBA, AA	N421RK	Incident	—	Investigation pending
Jun 10, 1993	ATTALLA, AL	N699DT	Incident	destroyed	THE FAILURE OF THE LEFT ENGINE TURBOCHARGER DUE TO ROTOR SHAFT SEIZURE, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
Apr 15, 1993	FORT PAYNE, AL	N14A	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WINDS DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF THAT RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE COLLIDING WITH THE RUNWAY, EXCEEDING THE DESIGN L… THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WINDS DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF THAT RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE COLLIDING WITH THE RUNWAY, EXCEEDING THE DESIGN LIMITS OF THE AIRCRAFT AND UPON LANDING AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE COLLAPSE OF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR.
Jul 03, 1992	HAYWARD, CA	N11BU	Incident	substantial	THE EXPLOSION OF FUEL VAPORS IN THE RIGHT WING DUE TO THE PILOT'S OVERPRIMING OF THE RIGHT ENGINE DURING A START ATTEMPT AND AN UNCORRECTED PREEXISTIN… THE EXPLOSION OF FUEL VAPORS IN THE RIGHT WING DUE TO THE PILOT'S OVERPRIMING OF THE RIGHT ENGINE DURING A START ATTEMPT AND AN UNCORRECTED PREEXISTING FUEL SYSTEM LEAK. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE AIRCRAFT.
Jun 22, 1992	Columbus, OH	N39PW	Incident	substantial	THE ELECTRICAL FIRE WHICH STARTED IN A COMPONENT THAT WAS PART OF A DOOR SEAL MODIFICATION. ALSO CAUSAL TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INSTALLATION OF THIS … THE ELECTRICAL FIRE WHICH STARTED IN A COMPONENT THAT WAS PART OF A DOOR SEAL MODIFICATION. ALSO CAUSAL TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INSTALLATION OF THIS UNAPPROVED AIRPLANE MODIFICATION.
Dec 05, 1991	WHEELING, IL	N777RA	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING LANDING. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ICY RUNWAY.
Nov 29, 1991	SAN ANDREAS, CA	N421DP	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION AND HIS FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE AIRPLANE'S CHECKLIST. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE DARK NIGHT CONDITION.
Oct 10, 1991	BATTLE CREEK, MI	N100CA	Incident	substantial	THE TOTAL FAILURE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR'S DOWNLOCK LINK ASSEMBLY.
Aug 16, 1991	PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO	N80RS	Incident	substantial	INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND. A FACTOR WAS: FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO PROPERLY LATCH THE CARGO DOOR.
Aug 01, 1991	AUBURN, CA	N98455	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT WHILE LANDING.
Jul 17, 1991	COLORADO SPRING, CO	N768RA	Incident	substantial	A FRACTURED FUEL LINE AND AN IMPROPERLY PERFORMED ANNUAL INSPECTION.
Mar 23, 1991	EL MONTE, CA	N4071L	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT RETRACTING THE LANDING GEAR DURING THE LANDING ROLL.
Feb 25, 1991	FORT MORGAN, CO	N125KS	Incident	minor	THE TOTAL FAILURE OF THE FLIGHT COMPARTMENT WINDSHIELD (COPILOT'S SIDE) FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
Oct 07, 1990	MORGANFIELD, KY	N69900	Incident	substantial	LOST OF POWER OF BOTH ENGINES DUE TO THE PILOT'S MISMANAGEMENT OF THE FUEL SYSTEM.
Sep 22, 1990	POMPANO BEACH, FL	N41JT	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO INITIATE A GO-AROUND DUE TO BEING HIGH ON FINAL APPROACH AND AS A RESULT, FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE CORRECT POINT OF TOUCHDOWN… THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO INITIATE A GO-AROUND DUE TO BEING HIGH ON FINAL APPROACH AND AS A RESULT, FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE CORRECT POINT OF TOUCHDOWN AND HIS EXCESSIVE APPLICATION OF BRAKES WHICH RESULTED IN FAILURE OF THE RIGHT MAIN TIRE AND LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
Aug 09, 1990	CONCORD, CA	N76SH	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE CHECKLIST. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED… THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE CHECKLIST. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS AND THE LANDING GEAR BEING UNLOCKED.
Aug 08, 1990	EL PASO, TX	N469RJ	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S IMPROPER SINGLE ENGINE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES.
Jul 18, 1990	LANCASTER, CA	N6089X	Incident	substantial	THE ACCIDENT WAS ERODED IGNITION SPARK PLUG ELECTRODES AND MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL NEGLECTING TO ADJUST SPARK PLUG ELECTRODES AND MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL … THE ACCIDENT WAS ERODED IGNITION SPARK PLUG ELECTRODES AND MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL NEGLECTING TO ADJUST SPARK PLUG ELECTRODES AND MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL NEGLECTING TO ADJUST SPARK PLUG GAP. THE ROUGH TERRAIN IN WHICH THE AIRCRAFT LANDED WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.
Aug 06, 1989	WATERVILLE, ME	N211PB	Incident	substantial	IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, HIS FAILURE TO OBTAIN NOTAMS, AND FAILURE OF THE APPROACH CONTROLLER TO PROVIDE A SAFETY ADVISORY ABOUT THE R… IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, HIS FAILURE TO OBTAIN NOTAMS, AND FAILURE OF THE APPROACH CONTROLLER TO PROVIDE A SAFETY ADVISORY ABOUT THE RUNWAY CONDITION.
Jul 03, 1989	FORT LAUDERDALE, FL	N149RT	Incident	substantial	IMPROPER FLARE BY THE PILOT. THE LIGHT CONDITION (DARK NIGHT) WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

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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Cessna 421 Safety Record

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