Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s ineffective use of the airplane’s brakes, which resulted in a runway overrun.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
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.
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 9, 2023, about 1611 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 402C, N404PJ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The airline transport pilot and six passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight. The flight originated from Lynden Pindling International Airport (MYNN), Nassau, Bahamas, about 1450, under visual flight rules, to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The pilot reported that he was attempting to land on runway 10R, which was 8,000 ft long. He stated that the airplane touched down on the wet runway about midfield (between taxiways J5 and J7). The left brake “did not work,” and he did not want to apply too much right brake and lose directional control. The airplane subsequently travelled off the end of the runway into an engineered materials arresting system, where it came to rest upright. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector stated that he traveled to FLL 2 days after the accident to examine the wreckage in a hangar. 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 inspector observed substantial damage to the airplane’s lower forward fuselage. He also noted a large flat spot on the left main landing gear tire and several cuts on the side walls of the tire. He observed that the left main landing gear brake hose was capped. It contained fluid and no evidence of leaks were observed.