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
Jun 22, 2017	Carlsbad, CA	N380AL	Incident	substantial	The right main landing gear collapse for undetermined reasons.
Sep 29, 2012	Selma, AL	N1537T	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power on the right engine and a partial loss of engine power on the lef… The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power on the right engine and a partial loss of engine power on the left engine due to fuel starvation.
Dec 09, 2011	Pampa, TX	N421CE	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate aircraft control during landing, which resulted in a hard landing.
May 02, 2011	Truckee, CA	N270CS	Incident	—	Fatigue failure of the right flap extend cable during the landing approach.
Jun 04, 2010	Anderson, IN	N421KB	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to establish proper rotation and liftoff speed during the takeoff roll.
Mar 18, 2010	Artesia, NM	N3382Q	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's improper fuel management.
Oct 03, 2009	San Simeon, CA	N31KT	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to follow the manufacturer’s checklist and set the parking brake.
Aug 08, 2007	Oceanside, CA	N968J	Incident	substantial	The collapse of the right main landing gear during the landing roll for undetermined reason, which resulted in a loss of directional control and colli… The collapse of the right main landing gear during the landing roll for undetermined reason, which resulted in a loss of directional control and collision with a fence.
Jul 07, 2005	Medina, OH	N318RF	Incident	substantial	An overload failure of the left main landing gear attachment assembly.
Apr 04, 2005	Lake Havasu Cit, AZ	N637SC	Incident	substantial	the fracture of the landing gear shaft roll pin that resulted in a main gear collapse during the taxi.
Jul 02, 2004	Portland, ME	N421KS	Incident	substantial	Failure of the right main landing gear down-lock mechanism resulting in the collapse of the right main landing gear.
Jun 16, 2004	Bend, OR	N332CC	Incident	substantial	On ground encounter with terrain during the takeoff roll as a result of the left side brake not operating. Inadequate maintenance inspection, overloa… On ground encounter with terrain during the takeoff roll as a result of the left side brake not operating. Inadequate maintenance inspection, overload of the nose landing gear and soft terrain were factors.
Sep 20, 2003	Driggs, ID	N41053	Incident	substantial	The collapse of the nose landing gear while taxiing due to the failure of the nose wheel bearing. A factor was the lack of lubrication.
Sep 28, 2002	Mineral Wells, TX	N7926R	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate which resulted hard landing and a subsequent failure of the main landing gear.
Aug 17, 2001	New Braunfels, TX	N5286Z	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate flare of the airplane resulting in a hard landing. A contributing factor was the crosswind.
Dec 14, 2000	PENSACOLA, FL	N781SL	Incident	substantial	The failure of the left main landing gear scissors washer during taxi for takeoff, and collapse of the left main landing gear. A factor in the acciden… The failure of the left main landing gear scissors washer during taxi for takeoff, and collapse of the left main landing gear. A factor in the accident was the failure of unknown maintenance personnel to comply with a manufacturers service letter concerning the scissors washers.
Oct 05, 1999	MONTAGUE, CA	N69GP	Incident	substantial	The collapse of the left main landing gear during the landing rollout for undetermined reasons, which resulted in the pilot's loss of directional cont… The collapse of the left main landing gear during the landing rollout for undetermined reasons, which resulted in the pilot's loss of directional control.
Jan 15, 1999	YOUNGSTOWN, OH	N882BB	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor was the icy runway.
Mar 18, 1998	SHOW LOW, AZ	N70PD	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to attain the proper alignment on the runway due to the obscuration by snow of the runway and on the airplane's windows.
Nov 19, 1996	OLYMPIA, WA	N8005Q	Incident	substantial	inoperative deicing equipment, due to multiple wing boot holes and malfunctioning control/shuttle valves; subsequent build-up of airframe (wing) ice; … inoperative deicing equipment, due to multiple wing boot holes and malfunctioning control/shuttle valves; subsequent build-up of airframe (wing) ice; and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed during the flare for landing. Factors relating to the accident included: the adverse weather (icing) conditions, and inadequate maintenance concerning the deicing equipment.
Jul 02, 1996	STILLWATER, OK	N450SU	Incident	substantial	the failure of the pilots of the Cessna 421B, N450SU, and the Cessna 152, N94532, to maintain visual lookout. Factors were: the inadequate radio commu… the failure of the pilots of the Cessna 421B, N450SU, and the Cessna 152, N94532, to maintain visual lookout. Factors were: the inadequate radio communications maintained by both pilots, and the failure of the student pilot of the Cessna 152 to take evasive action.
Sep 07, 1995	ALBUQUERQUE, NM	N5368J	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE CROSSWIND CONDITION. A FACTOR WAS THE CROSSWIND.
Oct 03, 1994	STUART, FL	N701AM	Incident	substantial	THE IMPROPER RIGGING OF THE LANDING GEAR SAFETY SQUAT SWITCH BY OTHER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CONTAMINATION OF THE… THE IMPROPER RIGGING OF THE LANDING GEAR SAFETY SQUAT SWITCH BY OTHER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CONTAMINATION OF THE GEAR SQUAT SWITCH WITH CORROSION AND WATER.
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.
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.

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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