Cessna 421 accident near Caldwell, New Jersey, May 17, 2008
On May 17, 2008 at about 1:50 am local time, a Cessna 421, registered N777FF, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Caldwell, New Jersey (Essex County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. Factors in the accident were a hydroplaning condition, and a wet runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 17, 2008 · about 1:50 am local time
- Place
- Caldwell, New Jersey · Essex County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 421 · all 421s on the register
- Registration
- N777FF · no longer on the register · serial 421B0016
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of a twin-engine airplane related that after landing on a wet paved runway, the airplane veered to the right. The airplane went off the right side of the runway and struck a sign, sustaining structural damage to the right wing. The pilot reported in his written statement to the NTSB that there was standing water on the runway, and he believes that the airplane hydroplaned after landing. He noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- factor Environmental issues › Operating environment › Airport facilities/design › Runway/landing area condition › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Sign/marker › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,827 hours in all; 1,353 in this make and model; 33 in the last 90 days; 26 in the last 30 days; 6,440 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 1, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,222.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 7,250 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental GTSIO-520-H (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MSV Monticello NJ at 2:25 am
- Destination: CDW Caldwell NJ
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 04, 4,553 ft by 80 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 010° at 6 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,500 ft
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.