How many accidents has the Cessna 421C had?

The NTSB has recorded 136 events involving the Cessna 421C: 55 fatal, 7 serious, 11 minor injuries, and 61 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 421C a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 421C has 136 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 421C Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 136 events recorded from 1982 to 2024.

136

All Events

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (157 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Aug 28, 1995	CHINLE, AZ	N745CA	Incident	substantial	the pilot's selection of a runway inappropriate for the tailwind condition and his resultant failure to achieve a touchdown point which would allow th… the pilot's selection of a runway inappropriate for the tailwind condition and his resultant failure to achieve a touchdown point which would allow the aircraft to stop prior to over running the departure end. The rough condition of the dirt runway, the lack of lighted wind indicators, and the operator's failure to develop procedures for night operations at the airport are factors in the accident.
Jan 21, 1995	ANGOLA, IN	N421AW	Incident	substantial	OVERLOAD FAILURE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SHOCK STRUT SLEEVE FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON.
Dec 14, 1994	CHINLE, AZ	N746CA	Incident	substantial	the overload failure of the nose gear trunion for undetermined reasons.
Jul 29, 1994	OSHKOSH, WI	N819RA	Incident	substantial	the pilot-in-command's misjudging the flare and his failure to maintain airspeed.
Jul 29, 1994	POLACCA, AZ	N985RA	Incident	substantial	the pilot's attempt to make a 180-degree turn in soft sand at a speed which imposed side loading on the nose gear. Factors were the pilot's decision t… the pilot's attempt to make a 180-degree turn in soft sand at a speed which imposed side loading on the nose gear. Factors were the pilot's decision to continue the approach beyond the planned touchdown point, the effect of the runway surface on braking action, and the bird strike.
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.
Aug 01, 1991	AUBURN, CA	N98455	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT WHILE LANDING.
Feb 25, 1991	FORT MORGAN, CO	N125KS	Incident	minor	THE TOTAL FAILURE OF THE FLIGHT COMPARTMENT WINDSHIELD (COPILOT'S SIDE) FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
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.
Oct 31, 1987	WOLLONGONG, AS	N8410G	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Aug 16, 1987	CLIFTON, AZ	N26596	Incident	destroyed	Investigation pending
Nov 06, 1986	TAMPA, FL	N37359	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Oct 17, 1986	HOT SPRINGS, AR	N49D	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Aug 25, 1986	NASHVILLE, TN	N5299J	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
May 15, 1986	ALBUQUERQUE, NM	N21WL	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Nov 16, 1985	IDAHO FALLS, ID	N124RS	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Oct 11, 1985	WOOSTER, OH	N59EP	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Feb 28, 1985	BUTTE, MT	N98487	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Feb 08, 1985	BAY CITY, MI	N5484G	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Dec 17, 1984	VANCOURT, TX	N6865D	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jul 09, 1984	KENNESAW, GA	N88639	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Apr 15, 1984	FARMINGTON, NM	N6205X	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Mar 21, 1984	JOLIET, IL	N260RA	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Oct 09, 1983	CENTER, CO	N770JW	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 421C Safety Record

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