On October 20, 1956, a Lockheed 18 LodeStar (registration N33368) operated by National Airlines (1934) was involved in an aviation accident near Tallahassee, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft overran the runway because it landed too far down the strip on a wet surface, preventing an adequate stopping distance. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A twin-engine aircraft veered off a wet runway and entered a ditch after failing to stop during landing, resulting in the loss of the airframe.
What happened
During the landing phase of the flight, a twin-engine aircraft experienced a runway excursion on a surface covered in water. The aircraft touched down at a point too far along the runway, leaving insufficient distance for the braking action to be effective. Due to the lack of remaining runway length and the slippery conditions, the plane was unable to decelerate sufficiently before exiting the paved surface.
The aircraft subsequently overran the end of the runway and came to a stop in an adjacent ditch. While the incident resulted in no fatalities or injuries, the impact and the position of the aircraft led to it being declared a total loss.
Findings
The primary factor in the excursion was the long touchdown point on a wet runway.
The presence of standing water or moisture contributed to the inability to stop within the available distance.
Probable cause
The aircraft overran the runway because it landed too far down the strip on a wet surface, preventing an adequate stopping distance.