Fatal NTSB investigations: Cessna 421C
59 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Cessna 421C. 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
| 1979 | 1 |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 1 |
| 1981 | 2 |
| 1984 | 2 |
| 1985 | 2 |
| 1986 | 3 |
| 1987 | 2 |
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 3 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 4 |
| 1995 | 6 |
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Where
Open the mapLatest 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 ('2076016', '2076017'))
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.
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 ('2076016', '2076017'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESCRun it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB CEN26FA174Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 421 · Wimberley, TXOn April 30, 2026, about 2303 central daylight time, a Cessna 421C airplane, N291AN, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Wimberley, Texas. The private pilot and four passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated under the…NTSB WPR24FA289Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 421C · Fairview, OROn August 31, 2024, about 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 421C, N421GP was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Fairview, Oregon. The two pilots and one person on the ground were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code…NTSB GAA24WA258Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 421C · Tofino, CanadaNTSB CEN24FA228Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 421 · Steamboat Springs, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed following a loss of engine power, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall/spin at low altitude.NTSB CEN23FA038Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 421C · Decatur, TXA loss of power on the left engine due to fuel starvation and the subsequent loss of power on the right engine for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR21FA270Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 421C · Monterey, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control due to spatial disorientation during an instrument departure procedure in instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of…NTSB CEN19FA082Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportCessna 421 · Canadian, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while in instrument meteorological conditions with icing conditions present, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin into terrain.NTSB CEN17FA248Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Catawba, WIA loss of control and subsequent in-flight breakup for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB CEN17FA167Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Huntsville, TXThe pilot's failure to identify the alternate runway, to perform a timely precautionary landing, and to maintain airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the left engine due to oil starvation for reasons that could not be determined…NTSB CEN14FA462Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Las Cruces, NMThe misfueling of the airplane with jet fuel instead of the required aviation fuel, and the resultant detonation and a total loss of engine power during initial climb. Contributing to the accident were the line service technician's inadvertent misfueling of…NTSB CEN13WA566Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 421 - C · Colombier-Saugnieu, FranceNTSB CEN13FA509Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Paris, ILThe pilot's failure to abort the takeoff during the ground roll after detecting the airplane's degraded performance. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt a flight with a known problem with the left engine and the likely partial…NTSB WPR13FA234Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Floriston, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during descent while operating in instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB ERA13FA082Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Lake Worth, FLThe pilot's failure to follow established engine-out procedures and to maintain a proper airspeed after the total loss of engine power on one of the airplane’s two engines during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the total loss of engine…NTSB CEN13FA073Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Wells, TXThe pilot’s decision to continue the flight into an area of extreme weather, which led to the in-flight encounter with a thunderstorm and structural failure of the wings and tail.NTSB WPR13FA037Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Shaver Lake, CAThe pilot's failure to regain airplane control following a sudden rapid descent during cruise, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to make the flight with a failed vacuum pump, particularly at high…NTSB ERA12LA290Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 421CPilot incapacitation, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain airplane control and the airplane’s subsequent ocean impact.NTSB CEN12FA100Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Sioux Falls, SDThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed after shutting down one engine, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow the guidance contained in the pilot’s…NTSB ERA11FA391Accident · 7 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Demopolis, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during a single-engine approach and his failure to fly an appropriate traffic pattern for a single-engine landing. Contributing to the accident was a total loss of engine power on the right engine due to a…NTSB CEN11FA201Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Connersville, INThe pilot did not maintain control of the airplane while making a low-altitude turn during dark night conditions.NTSB ERA09FA389Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Gulf of MexicoThe pilot’s decision to operate into a known area of adverse weather, which resulted in the inadvertent penetration of a severe thunderstorm, a subsequent loss of control, and in-flight breakup of the airplane.NTSB SEA06FA147Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Carson, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. Icing conditions, clouds and the pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather were factors.NTSB CHI05FA056Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C Riley Turbine E · Overland Park, KSThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance during cruise flight, resulting in collision with trees. Contributing factors were the low altitude and low ceiling.NTSB FTW04FA243Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Bee Caves, TXThe pilot's improper positioning of the fuel selector valves, which resulted in a loss of power to the left engine due to fuel exhaustion. After the power loss, the pilot failed to follow checklist procedures and did not secure (feather) the left propeller,…NTSB LAX04FA066Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Claremont, CAthe pilot became lost/disoriented during the approach, failed to maintain course alignment with the missed approach procedure, and subsequently lost control of the airplane.NTSB ANC03FA066Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Sitka, AKThe pilot's failure to follow IFR procedures by not following the published approach procedures, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were a low ceiling, and the pressure induced by conditions/events (the…NTSB FTW03FA055Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Tajique, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. Factors contributing to the accident were the high mountains, mountain obscuration, the dark night condition, and the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision making.NTSB FTW00FA245Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Hunt, TXthe loss of left engine power as a result of the owner's failure to overhaul the engine before further flight after the lubrication system was found contaminated with metal. Contributing factors were the pilot's decision to fly the aircraft with a…NTSB MIA99FA180Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Charlotte, NCThe failure of the pilot to shutdown the right engine and feather the propeller after a reported loss of power in the engine shortly after takeoff resulting in the airplane descending, colliding with trees and then the ground.NTSB FTW96FA073Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Cleveland, OKthe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain control of the airplane after encountering adverse weather conditions, which resulted in a stall/spin. Factors relating to the accident were: pilot…NTSB CHI96FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Battle Creek, MIthe pilot's decision to fly in adverse weather (icing) conditions; the accumulation of airframe ice; and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed for the situation, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. The icing condition was a related…NTSB LAX95FA321Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Phoenix, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain positive aircraft control, a proper airspeed and fly a proper approach path during final approach. Contributing factors to the accident were the pilot's physiological condition, impairment as a result of using a sedating…NTSB LAX95FA319Accident · 8 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Beaver Dam, AZFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering on approach, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and uncontrolled collision with terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot allowed the aircraft weight and balance…NTSB ANC95LA119Accident · 4 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Cordova, AKMechanical loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s), and subsequent in-flight collision with water (or ditching at sea).NTSB FTW95FA130Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · El Prado, NMThe pilot's decision to continue flight into known adverse weather conditions and the ensuing inadvertent stall due to airframe ice. Factors were the weather conditions.NTSB LAX94FA257Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Carlsbad, CAA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. The pilot's failure to raise the flaps and maintain altitude were factors in the accident.NTSB FTW94FA082Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · San Antonio, TXImproper 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.NTSB CHI94MA072Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Mccook, NEImproper 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…NTSB MIA94FA057Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Titusville, FLFailure 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.NTSB LAX93FA149Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Eagle Mountain, CAFailure of the left elevator for undetermined reason(s), which resulted in flutter and failure of the empennage, and subsequent uncontrolled collision with the terrain.NTSB SEA93FA035Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Wilsonville, ORThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain control of the aircraft.NTSB ATL92FA039Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)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.NTSB LAX92FA082Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Mammoth Lakes, CAThe 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.NTSB DEN91FA056Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Cortez, COThe pilot's improper IFR procedures. Factors were: the existing weather conditions and the pilot's failure to obtain a preflight briefing.NTSB DEN90FA085Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421-C · Boulder, COA loss of airplane control as a result control interference by the passenger following a struggle between the pilot and the passenger.NTSB LAX88FA215Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Shaver Lake, CAInflight 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…NTSB FTW87FA174Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Crystal City, TXThe pilot landed downwind on his private strip. The exact amount of the tailwind could not be determined. A thunderstorm was located just to the east of the runway and could have readily given N448 a strong tailwind. The aircraft touched down 390 feet beyond…NTSB DEN87FA162Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Cody, WYThe plt & 3 paxs were returning to dallas, TX from a retreat in Montana. The plt filed an IFR flt plan from white sulphur springs, MT, to casper, WY, but did not activate it after departure. The acft was rprtd overdue by family & a search was initiated. The…NTSB DEN87FA016Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Butte, MTPlt was attempting the vor-b instrument apch to Butte, MT arpt. Plt reported over the coppertown VORTAC inbound on the arpt. The procedure turn inbound course to the VORTAC is 124 degrees. The inbound course to the arpt is 094 degrees. The acft wreckage was…NTSB LAX86FA314Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Callahan, CAAfter dropping company executives off at medford, the pilot was to return to santa rosa empty. Witnesses along the 25 NM valley which ends at the accident site reported that the aircraft buzzed their locations at AGL altitudes variously described as '10 feet'…