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
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.
Apr 17, 2015 Diboll, TX N421PK Serious (1) substantial
The total loss of engine power due to the use of an improper fuel type. Contributing to the accident were the servicing of the airplane with the impro…

The total loss of engine power due to the use of an improper fuel type. Contributing to the accident were the servicing of the airplane with the improper fuel, noncompliance with an airworthiness directive, and the fuel nozzle installed on the fueling truck.

Sep 05, 2012 Fort Worth, TX N69924 Serious (2) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control on takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident were the unlatched n…

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control on takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident were the unlatched nose cargo door, the pilot’s diverted attention, and the pilot's mental ability to handle the emergency situation.

May 23, 2007 Chesterfield, MO N4082L Serious (1) substantial
Maintenance personnel failed to comply with an Airworthiness Directive which resulted in the total failure of the starter adapter gear teeth and the c…

Maintenance personnel failed to comply with an Airworthiness Directive which resulted in the total failure of the starter adapter gear teeth and the crankshaft gear teeth and the pilot failed to follow the published emergency procedures. Contributing to the accident were the low altitude at which the loss of power occurred, the power lines, and the unsuitable terrain which prevented the pilot from adequately flaring the airplane and resulted in the subsequent hard landing.

May 08, 2006 Marathon, FL N988GM Serious (2) substantial
The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear prior to landing, which resulted in the propellers striking the runway, an aborted landing, and an in-f…

The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear prior to landing, which resulted in the propellers striking the runway, an aborted landing, and an in-flight collision with terrain.

Aug 30, 2001 CARCASSOME, FR F-GAPR Serious (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Aug 06, 1998 COLUMBUS, IN N5MJ Serious (2) substantial
the pilot-in-commands failure to maintain airspeed and the subsequent stall/mush. Factors associated with the accident were the open baggage door and…

the pilot-in-commands failure to maintain airspeed and the subsequent stall/mush. Factors associated with the accident were the open baggage door and the inadequate aircraft preflight.

May 11, 1998 NASSAU, BF N17BN Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Dec 08, 1996 ST. PETERSBURG, FL N5195C Serious (1) substantial improper installation of the new starter adapter by maintenance personnel.
Aug 31, 1996 CONCHAS, NM N55HU Serious (3) destroyed The pilot's inadvertent flight into hail which shattered the pilot's windshield and resulted in his incapacitation due to hypoxia.
Aug 04, 1996 AVALON, CA N6209V Serious (4) substantial
the pilot's failure to initiate a go-around when a landing overshoot became apparent. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the pilot's exc…

the pilot's failure to initiate a go-around when a landing overshoot became apparent. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the pilot's excessive airspeed and misjudged distance during landing, his lack of flying experience in the Cessna, and overconfidence in his personal ability.

Nov 01, 1994 SPARKS, NV N421WB Serious (2) destroyed THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FUEL SELECTOR AND SUBSEQUENT FUEL STARVATION.
Sep 06, 1993 OAK GROVE, LA N747BW Serious (1) substantial DIRECTIONAL CONTROL NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS WERE A FENCE AND TREES.
Nov 22, 1992 SANTA MARIA, CA N52AK Serious (1) destroyed
1) THE INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE LEFT ENGINE, LEFT MAGNETO DUE TO INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND NON COMPLIANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURERS SERVICE BULLETINS AND…

1) THE INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE LEFT ENGINE, LEFT MAGNETO DUE TO INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND NON COMPLIANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURERS SERVICE BULLETINS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, AND 2) THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT DURING THE LANDING ATTEMPT. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE INABILITY OF THE PILOT TO SHUT OFF THE LEFT MAGNETO AND THE FALSE LANDING GEAR INDICATIONS, BOTH FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

Jul 05, 1992 SHELTER COVE, CA N929DB Serious (4) destroyed THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND HIS FAILURE TO ENSURE THAT THE CONTROL SURFACE LOCKS WERE REMOVED PRIOR TO FLIGHT.
Mar 12, 1991 TUCSON, AZ N924MD Serious (3) substantial
THE FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE RIGHT ENGINE TURBO EXHAUST CLAMP, AND, THE FAILURE OF THE FLYING PILOT TO COMPLETE THE SINGLE ENGINE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES I…

THE FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE RIGHT ENGINE TURBO EXHAUST CLAMP, AND, THE FAILURE OF THE FLYING PILOT TO COMPLETE THE SINGLE ENGINE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES IN A TIMELY MANNER. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE CONDUCT OF THE FLIGHT.

Jul 13, 1989 OKMULGEE, OK N699PC Serious (1) substantial
FAILURE OF THE NOSE GEAR EXTENSION ASSEMBLY AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PRECAUTIONARY LANDING PROCEDURES THAT INCLUDED SECURING THE ENGINES PRIOR TO A PO…

FAILURE OF THE NOSE GEAR EXTENSION ASSEMBLY AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PRECAUTIONARY LANDING PROCEDURES THAT INCLUDED SECURING THE ENGINES PRIOR TO A POINT WHERE A SAFE LANDING WAS ASSURED.

Aug 09, 1988 MARSH HARBOUR, BF N98427 Serious (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Feb 22, 1986 ALVORD, TX N8155Q Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Dec 02, 1985 FRANKTOWN, CO N249JM Serious (4) substantial Investigation pending
May 05, 1985 LAS VEGAS, NM N8343G Serious (2) substantial Investigation pending
Aug 16, 1983 CENTERTO, IN N386G Serious (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Apr 25, 1982 ATLANTA, GA N6823C Serious (2) destroyed Investigation pending
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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