Cessna 402 accident near Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, April 9, 2023
On April 9, 2023 at about 8:11 pm local time, a 1981 Cessna 402, registered N404PJ, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Inte airport). It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 7 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s ineffective use of the airplane’s brakes, which resulted in a runway overrun.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 9, 2023 · about 8:11 pm local time
- Place
- Ft. Lauderdale, Florida · Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Inte · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 7 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 402 C, built 1981 · all 402s on the register
- Registration
- N404PJ · registry record · serial 402C0513
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the multi-engine airplane was attempting to land on an 8,000-ft-long runway at the conclusion of an on-demand air taxi flight. He stated that the airplane touched down on the wet runway about midfield and the left brake did not work. The airplane subsequently travelled off the end of the runway into an engineered materials arresting system, where it came to rest upright. A postaccident examination of the airplane occurred in the pilot’s hangar 2 days after the accident. By that time, the pilot had begun repairs without authorization. The pilot stated that he removed and shipped the left brake assembly out for service; however, he could not provide the location of where the left brake assembly was sent. The examination also found that the left main landing gear tire displayed a large flat spot. Because left brake was not available for examination, its condition and functionality could not be evaluated. However, the large flat spot observed on the tire suggested that the brake was functioning, and that the wheel was likely skidding on the wet runway during the roll, and thus not able to effectively slow 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
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Landing gear brakes system › Incorrect use/operation
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 19,269 hours in all; 14,850 in this make and model; 227 in the last 90 days; 104 in the last 30 days; 19,126 as pilot in command; 189 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 26, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 11,075 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 11, 2022; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 7,210 lb
- Seats: 10
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Continental TSIO-520-VB (piston); 6,709 hours total
- Engine 2: Continental TSIO-520-VB (piston); 4,743 hours total
- Operator: First Class Air Charter LLC
The flight
- Departed from: MYNN Nassau OF at 6:50 pm
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 10R, 8,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 2.5 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,800 ft; a few clouds at 1,300 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 4:15 pm from KFLL
Weather report (METAR): SPECI KFLL 092015Z AUTO 01009KT 2 1/2SM R10L/4000VP6000FT VCTS BR FEW013 BKN038 OVC075 22/21 A2996 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT S AND W T02170206 PWINO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 6 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on June 12, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for the Record | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Landing Distance Chart | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Weather Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.