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Four-engine aircraft overruns wet runway after high-speed approach (N30050)

Los Angeles, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On December 24, 1946, a Douglas DC-4 (registration N30050) operated by United Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Los Angeles, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crew continued an unstable approach that was too high and too fast, resulting in a late touchdown that left insufficient runway distance to stop on a wet surface. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

A four-engine aircraft overran a wet runway by 200 feet after landing too far down the strip due to an unstable approach. All 45 occupants exited safely, but the airframe was declared damaged beyond repair.

What happened

The four-engine aircraft touched down on a wet runway surface. Following touchdown, the plane failed to decelerate within the remaining available distance and overran the end of the strip. It eventually came to rest approximately 200 feet beyond the runway boundary. Despite the incident, all 45 occupants sustained no injuries and disembarked from the aircraft promptly. The airframe was subsequently assessed as damaged beyond repair due to severe structural damage to the fuselage.

Findings

Investigations determined that the crew continued the approach at an altitude significantly above the intended glide path. As the aircraft crossed the runway threshold, it was traveling at 115 knots and at an altitude of 75 feet. This incorrect configuration resulted in the plane being both too high and too fast for a safe landing. Consequently, the touchdown occurred well past the designated zone, leaving insufficient distance to stop on the wet surface. Authorities concluded that given these unsafe conditions, the pilot should have initiated a go-around rather than continuing the approach.

Probable cause

The crew continued an unstable approach that was too high and too fast, resulting in a late touchdown that left insufficient runway distance to stop on a wet surface.

Related events

Same operator

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