How many accidents has the Cessna 421B had?

The NTSB has recorded 104 events involving the Cessna 421B: 31 fatal, 11 serious, 10 minor injuries, and 52 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 421B a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 421B has 104 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 421B Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 104 events recorded from 1982 to 2022.

104

All Events

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (96 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
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.
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.
Jul 17, 1991	COLORADO SPRING, CO	N768RA	Incident	substantial	A FRACTURED FUEL LINE AND AN IMPROPERLY PERFORMED ANNUAL INSPECTION.
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 08, 1990	EL PASO, TX	N469RJ	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S IMPROPER SINGLE ENGINE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES.
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.
Mar 03, 1989	SAN ANTONIO, TX	N5999M	Incident	destroyed	THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO FOLLOW THE PROPER PROCEDURES/DIRECTIVES BY NOT FOLLOWING THE GLIDESLOPE WHICH RESULTED IN NOT BEING ABLE TO ATTAIN THE PRO… THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO FOLLOW THE PROPER PROCEDURES/DIRECTIVES BY NOT FOLLOWING THE GLIDESLOPE WHICH RESULTED IN NOT BEING ABLE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT.
Sep 20, 1988	WINNER, SD	N44HV	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 03, 1987	MIAMI, FL	N137JR	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Sep 13, 1985	OLATHE, KS	N88DM	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
May 15, 1985	LAKELAND, FL	N8083Q	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Apr 19, 1985	AMARILLO, TX	N3380Q	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Nov 27, 1984	MASON CITY, IA	N41097	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 30, 1984	EL PASO, TX	N554	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Mar 10, 1984	MADISON, WI	N41022	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Nov 27, 1983	COLUMBUS, OH	N41097	Incident	minor	Investigation pending
May 07, 1983	BUCKEYE, AZ	N315CC	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Dec 23, 1982	FORT PAYNE, AL	N3380Q	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Aug 01, 1982	COTULLA, TX	N832BW	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 19, 1982	CLEARWATER, FL	N100CA	Incident	substantial	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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Cessna 421B Safety Record

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