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Two days after the accident Colonial Airlines published a bulletin entitled "Accidents Resulting from Overshooting Runways." Information contained in this document had been furnished by the Civil Aeronautics Board's Bureau of Safety Investigation to the Air Transport Association for distribution to its members and dissemination to pilots. The subject matter contained therein was predicated on a study o f32 scheduled air carrier accidents which had occurred since 1940 resulting from overshooting runways. Throughout this series of mishaps, the common factor in all 32 accidents was wet or slippery runway with, in some cases, the contributing causes of indefinite ceilings and limited visibilities. It was further shown that the coefficient of friction of rubber tires on wet runway surfaces is very low at high speed and that poor traction from braking action resulted in the aircraft skidding.

On August 4, 1948, this information was furnished the Civil Aeronautics Administration with a request that deceleration tests be conducted by its Technical Development Branch during varying conditions of wet runways. The CAA concurred and offered its support and cooperation in making the tests, and stated that every effort would be made to initiate such a project dependent on the necessary funds becoming available.

Findings

On the basis of all available evidence, the Board finds that: 

1. The air carrier, the aircraft, and the crew were properly certificated.

2. At the time of departure from Montreal the aircraft was properly loaded with respect to its maximum permissible gross weight, and its center of gravity was within approved limits.