# NTSB ANC08CA069: Cessna 421, N777FF, Caldwell, NJ, May 17, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 16, 2008, 21:50 local (May 17, 2008, 01:50 UTC) - Place: Caldwell, NJ - Coordinates: 40.866664, -74.26889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8667&lon=-74.2689&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68055 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC08CA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68055/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08CA069 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. Factors in the accident were a hydroplaning condition, and a wet runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design: runway/landing area condition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035/cases.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N777FF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N777FF-2008-12-11), registration cancelled 2008-12-11, S/N 421B0016, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 421 - Registry model: [Cessna 421B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421b) (registry code 2076014) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 421B0016 - Airframe hours: 4222.3 - Engines: Continental GTSIO-520-H 375 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Antranig Aslanian, Jr. - Registered owner: ANI Holding and Equipment Co. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MSV, Monticello, NJ - Destination: CDW, Caldwell, NJ - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: CDW, Essex County Airport, runway 04, 4,553 × 80 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 6,827 total, 1,353 in this make and model, 6,440 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 10° at 6 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20080516850199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080516850199A), May 16, 2008: Cessna 421B, Caldwell, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) At approximately 1500 hours local on 5/17/2008, the aircraft left runway 04 at cdw and hit the 2000' distance remaining sign and 3 runway edge identifier… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.