# NTSB CEN21LA071: Cessna 551, N48DK, Lufkin, TX, December 2, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 2, 2020, 08:42 local (14:42 UTC) - Place: Lufkin, TX · Cow Pasture Adjacent to LFK - Coordinates: 31.14, -94.45 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1400&lon=-94.4500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102361 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102361/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102361 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA071 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to land on a runway that did not provide enough length to stop the airplane given the wet surface conditions, resulting in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 551, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2076605), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 551, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=2076605), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 551, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2076605), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis After a 30-minute uneventful instrument flight rules (IFR) flight, the business jet landed in the rain on the 4,311ft-long runway. The pilot reported, and runway skid marks corroborated, that the airplane touched down about 1,000 ft from the approach end of the runway. The pilot reported braking action was initially normal and the anti-skid system cycled twice before it stopped working and he was unable to slow the airplane using the emergency brakes. The airplane continued off the departure end of the runway where it traveled through wet grass and a fence before coming to rest with the landing gear collapsed. A video of the airplane during the landing roll indicated there was a significant amount of water on the runway. No mechanical anomalies were found with the brake/antiskid systems during the postaccident examination of the airplane. Marks on the runway indicated functionality of the antiskid system. Stopping performance calculations estimated the distance required to stop the airplane on the runway was about 4,127 ft. The runway length remaining after the airplane touched down was about 3,311 ft. The pilot was aware of the runway length and weather conditions prior to departure and reported that he should have not accepted the trip. ## Factual narrative On December 2, 2020, about 0842 central standard time, a Cessna 551, N48DK, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lufkin, Texas. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight. The pilot stated that after an uneventful IFR flight from Austin, Texas, he entered the RNAV 16 approach to runway 16 at the Angelina County Airport (LFK), Lufkin, Texas. His intention was a full stop landing. After breaking out of the clouds during the approach, he cancelled his flight plan and landed on runway 16. It was raining at the time of the landing. The pilot reported the airplane touched down about 1,000 ft down the runway. He reported that braking was initially normal with the anti-skid system cycling twice before it seemed to stop working. He continued to report that turning off the anti-skid and applying emergency braking did not slow the airplane. The airplane exited the departure end of the runway where it traveled through the wet grass and contacted a fence and a small ditch. The pilot and passengers evacuated the airplane after it came to a stop. On scene inspection of the accident site revealed that the nose and main landing gear collapsed after departing the runway, and both wings sustained structural damage. A video of the accident showed that runway 16 had a significant amount of water on it at the time the airplane landed. The video shows the airplane’s landing roll and the excursion. Skid marks observed at the departure end of runway 16 were traced back to the approach end of the runway. It was estimated that the airplane touched down about 1,000 ft beyond the approach end of runway 16 as reported by the pilot. The marks, which corresponded with the tread on the airplane’s tires, lasted about 2,600 ft. The skid marks exhibited modulations in color and rubber displacement consistent with antiskid system functionality. Examination of the wheel brakes on both main landing gear did not reveal any mechanical anomalies. Examination of the tires did not reveal any abnormal flat spots. The tread depth on the tires varied between 2 to 3 tenths of a inch. Tire pressures could not be obtained since all of the tires were ruptured during the excursion sequence. No mechanical anomalies were found with the antiskid system. The cannon plug connectors containing the antiskid transducer wires were examined and the pins and connectors were clean and free of corrosion. Pneumatic pressures on the brake accumulators were normal. To determine the estimated landing distance, the Cessna 551 Airplane Flight Manual performance tables were used. The length of runway 16 was 4,311 ft. Video and tire mark evidence showed that the airplane touched down about 1,000 ft down the runway, leaving about 3,311 ft to stop. The calculated estimated stopping distance for the airplane at the time of the accident was about 4,127 ft, due to the wet runway conditions. Thepilot reported on National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120 that he was aware of the weather conditions. He reviewed lessons learned from this accident, which included turning down the flight because of the weather and runway length available to stop the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N48DK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48DK-2022-09-07), registration cancelled 2022-09-07, S/N 551-0095, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 551 - Registry model: [Cessna 551](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-551) (registry code 2076605) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-jt15d-4-series) (registry code 52112, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 551-0095 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 9395 - Engines: P&W JT15D-4 2500 lbs thrust turbo fan; P&W JT15D-4 2500 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Aviation Star S - Registered owner: Aviation Star S - Airworthiness certificate: None - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 2, 2020 - Departed: AUS, Austin, TX - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: LFK, Angelina County Airport, runway 16, 4,311 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 17,772 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 28 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 6 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 900 ft broken - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KLFK - METAR: KLFK 021453Z AUTO 10006KT 6SM -RA BR BKN065 OVC080 09/07 A3015 RMK AO2 SLP208 P0009 60009 T00890067 53013 ## 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 20201202021719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201202021719A), Dec 2, 2020: Cessna 551, Lufkin, TX, Substantial damage. The pilot stated he touched down at the 1000 foot mark on runway 16 at lfk. The pilot applied brakes to slow the aircraft three times. Each time the pilot… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 7, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102361. 16.8 MB in all. - Accident video CEN21LA071 (item 1, WMV, 9.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15051696&FileExtension=wmv&FileName=Accident%20Video%20CEN21LA071-Rel.wmv - NTSB form 6120 pilot operator report CEN21LA071 (item 2, PDF, 9 pages, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15051948&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Pilot%20Operator%20Report%20CEN21LA071_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for the record accident site and airframe exams CEN21LA071 (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 875 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15051876&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Accident%20Site%20and%20Airframe%20Exams%20CEN21LA071_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for the record estimated landing distance calculations CEN21LA071 (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 241 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15051283&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Estimated%20Landing%20Distance%20Calculations%20CEN21LA071_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array CEN21LA071 (item 5, PDF, 6 pages, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15051958&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20CEN21LA071-Rel.pdf - NTSB certificate of party representative Cessna CEN21LA071 (2) (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15052328&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Certificate%20of%20Party%20Representative%20Cessna%20CEN21LA071_redacted-Rel.pdf 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.