Cessna 421C Safety Record

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

136

All Events

61

Incidents

11

Minor

7

Serious

55

Fatal (157 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.
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.

Jun 15, 1994 CARLSBAD, CA N421AG Fatal (2) destroyed A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO RAISE THE FLAPS AND MAINTAIN ALTITUDE WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
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.

Feb 10, 1994 SAN ANTONIO, TX N741CA Fatal (2) destroyed
IMPROPER SERVICING OF THE AIRPLANE WITH JET FUEL, WHICH RESULTED IN PREIGNITION AND/OR DETONATION AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF PISTONS IN BOTH ENGINES. …

IMPROPER SERVICING OF THE AIRPLANE WITH JET FUEL, WHICH RESULTED IN PREIGNITION AND/OR DETONATION AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF PISTONS IN BOTH ENGINES. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE LACK OF A RESTRICTIVE MATING NOZZLE ON THE REFUELING TRUCK.

Jan 26, 1994 MCCOOK, NE N5468G Fatal (2) destroyed
IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND THE ACCUMULATION OF AIRFRAME ICE, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. FACTORS ASSOCIATED W…

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND THE ACCUMULATION OF AIRFRAME ICE, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT WERE: PARTIAL FAILURE OF BOTH ALTERNATORS, WHICH RESULTED IN A SUBSEQUENT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE AND AN INOPERATIVE ANTI-ICE/DE-ICE SYSTEM, ADVERSE WEATHER (ICING) CONDITIONS, AND AIRFRAME (WING) ICE.

Jan 21, 1994 TITUSVILLE, FL N777BE Fatal (3) destroyed
FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN VMC RESULTING IN THE INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FATIGUE FAILURE OF A S…

FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN VMC RESULTING IN THE INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FATIGUE FAILURE OF A SECTION OF PIPE ADJACENT TO A FLANGE WHICH CONNECTS TO THE TURBOCHARGER OIL OUTLET OF THE LEFT ENGINE ASSEMBLY.

Mar 12, 1993 EAGLE MOUNTAIN, CA N2656N Fatal (3) destroyed
FAILURE OF THE LEFT ELEVATOR FOR UNDETERMINED REASON(S), WHICH RESULTED IN FLUTTER AND FAILURE OF THE EMPENNAGE, AND SUBSEQUENT UNCONTROLLED COLLISION…

FAILURE OF THE LEFT ELEVATOR FOR UNDETERMINED REASON(S), WHICH RESULTED IN FLUTTER AND FAILURE OF THE EMPENNAGE, AND SUBSEQUENT UNCONTROLLED COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN.

Dec 13, 1992 WILSONVILLE, OR N98489 Fatal (2) destroyed THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.
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.

Jun 11, 1992 WINDOW ROCK, AZ N6115C Incident substantial Investigation pending
Jan 13, 1992 ATLANTIC OCEAN, AO N40JK Fatal (5) destroyed
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION, AND HIS CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE: THE IMPROPER WEATHER BRIEFING…

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION, AND HIS CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE: THE IMPROPER WEATHER BRIEFING BY A FLIGHT SERVICE STATION SPECIALIST, AND LEVEL III THUNDERSTORMS.

Jan 05, 1992 MAMMOTH LAKES, CA N2654M Fatal (4) destroyed
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PLAN AND CONDUCT HIS DEPARTURE FLIGHT TO AVOID HIGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, DURING WHICH THE PILOT BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED. C…

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PLAN AND CONDUCT HIS DEPARTURE FLIGHT TO AVOID HIGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, DURING WHICH THE PILOT BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS SELF INDUCED PRESSURE TO DEPART BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF A SNOW STORM.

Aug 01, 1991 AUBURN, CA N98455 Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT WHILE LANDING.
Mar 29, 1991 CORTEZ, CO N3851C Fatal (5) destroyed THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IFR PROCEDURES. FACTORS WERE: THE EXISTING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A PREFLIGHT BRIEFING.
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.

Aug 09, 1988 MARSH HARBOUR, BF N98427 Serious (2) destroyed Investigation pending
May 29, 1988 SHAVER LAKE, CA N98683 Fatal (4) destroyed
INFLIGHT ENCOUNTER WITH FORCASTED SEVERE ICING AND TURBULENCE BEYOND THE CAPABILITY OF EITHER THE AIRCRAFT OR THE PILOT , WHICH LED TO AN INFLGIHT LOS…

INFLIGHT ENCOUNTER WITH FORCASTED SEVERE ICING AND TURBULENCE BEYOND THE CAPABILITY OF EITHER THE AIRCRAFT OR THE PILOT , WHICH LED TO AN INFLGIHT LOSS OF CONTROL. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOTS LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF HIGH ALTITUDE FLIGHT ASPECTS AND METEROLOGICAL PHENOMENA.

Oct 31, 1987 WOLLONGONG, AS N8410G Incident substantial Investigation pending
Aug 16, 1987 CLIFTON, AZ N26596 Incident destroyed Investigation pending
Jul 24, 1987 CRYSTAL CITY, TX N448 Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Jun 28, 1987 CODY, WY N26553 Fatal (4) destroyed Investigation pending
Nov 06, 1986 TAMPA, FL N37359 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.
← Cessna 421C For Sale All Cessna Models
Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data
View 63 Cessna 421C for sale ↓