No fatalities

Cessna 402C Overruns Wet Runway at Fort Lauderdale, Left Brake Inoperative (N404PJ)

Ft. Lauderdale, FL, United States

On April 9, 2023, a CESSNA 402 C (registration N404PJ) operated by FIRST CLASS AIR CHARTER LLC was involved in an aviation accident near Ft. Lauderdale, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s ineffective use of the airplane’s brakes, which resulted in a runway overrun. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

On April 9, 2023, a Cessna 402C (N404PJ) overran wet runway 10R at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after the left brake failed. The aircraft entered an EMAS bed. The pilot and six passengers were uninjured. Substantial damage occurred. The pilot later initiated unauthorized repairs.

Accident Overview

On April 9, 2023, at approximately 1611 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 402C, registration N404PJ, was substantially damaged during a landing overrun at Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The flight was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 as an on-demand air taxi service. The airline transport pilot and six passengers reported no injuries.

Flight Details

The flight originated from Lynden Pindling International Airport (MYNN), Nassau, Bahamas, around 1450, and was conducted under visual flight rules to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL).

Landing and Runway Excursion

The pilot attempted to land on runway 10R, which is 8,000 ft long. He reported that the airplane touched down on the wet runway about midfield, between taxiways J5 and J7. The left brake did not function, and the pilot stated he avoided applying excessive right brake to prevent loss of directional control. The airplane subsequently departed the end of the runway and entered an engineered materials arresting system (EMAS), where it came to rest upright.

Post-Accident Examination

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the wreckage in a hangar two 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 for servicing, but could not provide the location of where it was sent. The inspector noted substantial damage to the lower forward fuselage. Additionally, a large flat spot was observed on the left main landing gear tire, along with several cuts on the sidewalls. The left main landing gear brake hose was capped, contained fluid, and showed no evidence of leaks.

Probable Cause

No probable cause was stated in the source.

Contributing factors

PilotIncorrect use/operation