HangarMath

Cessna 421 Golden Eagle Pre-Buy Checklist

Multi Piston · 1968-1985 · 980 active

Full Cost Data

Purchase Price

$30K-$200K

Prebuy Items

ADs

Insurance

$2,588

per year (experienced)

Known Maintenance Issues

1 FAA Service Difficulty Reports (2015-2024)

Electrical / Avionics
1

Source: FAA Service Difficulty Reports (SDR). Higher counts may reflect fleet size.

Safety Record (NTSB)

Public incident data · 1982-2025

25

Total Incidents

24

Accidents

9

Fatal

25.5

Per 1K Fleet

Raw public data from NTSB. Not a safety grade. Compare with fleet size and hours flown.

Purchase Price by Year

1970-1979
$34K-$65K
1980-1985
$53K-$102K
1990-1985
$97K-$186K

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cessna 421 Golden Eagle cost?

Typical purchase price: $30K-$200K

What should I check before buying a Cessna 421 Golden Eagle?

Have a qualified A&P mechanic perform a thorough pre-buy inspection of the airframe, engine, avionics, and logbooks.

How much is insurance for a Cessna 421 Golden Eagle?

Experienced pilots: $2,588-$3,163/year.

Are there any known issues with the Cessna 421 Golden Eagle?

Check FAA airworthiness directives and type club resources for known issues.

Cost Summary

Purchase$30K-$200K
Annual Fixed$10,388/yr
Hourly Variable$67.00/hr
5-Year Total$115K-$377K

Insurance Estimates

New PPL$3,623-$5,233
Experienced$2,588-$3,163

Engine

ModelContinental GTSIO-520-L
Power375 HP
TBO2,000 hrs
Overhaul$25,000-$35,000

Disclaimer

This guide is for informational purposes only. Always hire a qualified A&P mechanic for a professional pre-buy inspection. Data sourced from FAA records and industry benchmarks.