Fatal NTSB investigations: Cessna 421

21 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Cessna 421. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Cases per year

19702026
Fatal NTSB investigations: Cessna 421 per year, 1970–2026: 21 cases
19701
19722
19732
19741
19811
19821
19841
19861
19871
19881
19891
19961
19971
19981
20011
20021
20031
20041
20191

Latest cases

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
  WHERE c.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal'
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('2076010'))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

NTSB ERA19FA283Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 421 · Deland, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing was the pilot’s lack of training and experience in the accident airplane make and model.Sep 29, 2019 · N731PF · DestroyedNTSB DEN05FA038Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · Englewood, COloss of engine power due to fuel starvation, and the instructor's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were a partially blocked fuel line resulting in restricted fuel flow, the instructor's failure to perform critical emergency…Dec 17, 2004 · N421FR · DestroyedNTSB IAD03FA032Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · Ferguson, KYThe pilot's failure to follow the instrument approach procedure, which resulted in an early descent into trees and terrain. Factors included the low ceiling and the night lighting conditions.Feb 17, 2003 · N421TJ · DestroyedNTSB DEN03FA025Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · Akron, COThe fractured connecting rods and the pilot not maintaining aircraft control following the engine failure. Factors contributing to the accident were the low altitude, the pilot not maintaining minimum controllable airspeed following the engine failure, the…Dec 25, 2002 · N421D · DestroyedNTSB ATL01FA036Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · Munford, ALThe pilot continued visual flight into instrument weather conditions that resulted in the inflight collision with a river bank. Factors were reduced visibility and dark night.Feb 14, 2001 · N5AY · DestroyedNTSB CHI98FA187Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · Little Falls, MNthe pilot's continued operation with a known deficiency in equipment.Jun 1, 1998 · N541N · DestroyedNTSB FTW97FA130Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · League City, TXThe pilot's failure to refuel the airplane which resulted in the loss of power to the right engine due to fuel exhaustion, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the single engine landing approach which resulted in a stall/spin.Mar 20, 1997 · N4050L · Substantial damageNTSB CHI96FA146Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · Bernard, IAthe pilot's operation of the airplane with known deficiencies, subsequent loss of oil from the left engine, and the pilot's failure to maintain minimum controllable airspeed (VMC), while diverting to an alternate airport. Factors relating to the accident…Apr 29, 1996 · N341DA · DestroyedNTSB FTW89FA074Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · Brownsville, TXThe pilot's improper emergency procedure after lossing power in the right engine, and his failure to maintain minimum control speed (VMC), which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Factors related to the accident were: fuel starvation of the right engine,…Mar 29, 1989 · N4595L · DestroyedNTSB NYC88FA181Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · Taunton, MABfr rchg his destn, the plt adzd apch ctl that his rgt eng was 'blowing some smoke' & losing oil pressure. Vectors were provided for a visual apch, but there were low clouds in the area & vis was restricted due to haze. After reaching the vcnty of the arpt,…Jul 14, 1988 · N825DW · DestroyedNTSB MIA87FA239Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · Coral Springs, FLThe acft had been abandoned in the Bahamas for aprx 7 months. A plt, with no known flt time in a Cessna 421, flew it to ft lauderdale. Except to avoid clds, he made the flt at a low alt & airspeed. When asked why, he said he was trying to save the engs. The…Sep 2, 1987 · N421DT · DestroyedNTSB FTW86FA133Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · Addison, TXWitnesses reported a normal takeoff and climb was made to an alt of aprx 400 ft AGL at which time eng pwr ceased/ decreased. The rt wing then dropped, the nose and lt wing rose and the acft entered a near vertical descent to ground impact. Post accident exam…Jul 19, 1986 · N6VR · DestroyedNTSB CHI84FA303Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · Birchwood, WIDuring flt, the plt transmitted to ARTCC 'we've got a problem, we're losing altitude.' The controller provided a vector to the nearest arpt, but shortly after that, the plt stated that he would not be able to reach the arpt. The plt did not inform ARTCC of…Jul 20, 1984 · N14TC · DestroyedNTSB CHI82FA091Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · Richmond, INDuring a VOR approach to runway 05 when 3 miles away from the airport at minimums ground contact was not made. The pilot stated that she elected to perform a missed approach but before power was applied the copilot raised the flaps. She further stated that…Mar 18, 1982 · N33KC · DestroyedNTSB MIA81FA042Accident · 6 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Ft Lauderdale, FLFeb 3, 1981 · N739DV · 2 aircraft · DestroyedNTSB MKC74AK056Accident · 5 fatalClosedCessna 421 · Bunker, MOMar 29, 1974 · N3139K · DestroyedNTSB CHI74AC042Accident · 5 fatalClosedCessna 421 · Plymouth, INNov 14, 1973 · N550T · DestroyedNTSB LAX73AL034Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 421 · Palm Sprngs, CAJan 16, 1973 · N42J · DestroyedNTSB NYC73AN084Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 421 · Cheektowaga, NYDec 16, 1972 · N121X · DestroyedNTSB MIA73AM014Accident · 5 fatalClosedCessna 421 · Cleveland, TNAug 7, 1972 · N123QF · DestroyedNTSB NYC71AN059Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 421 · Bath, PANov 11, 1970 · N3155K · Destroyed