Page:CAB Accident Report, National Airlines Flight 23.pdf/3

 was the direction of landing intended. However, shortly before the aircraft arrived over the field, the tower personnel changed the runway lights to No. 15 since that runway was the longest one available at Banana River. The aircraft passed over the field at an altitude of 1500 feet, but the traffic pattern established by the flight was too close to the landing area, end, when on the final approach, Captain Stoia realized he was too high for a landing. When over the edge of the field at 300 feet with full flaps and gear extended and the airspeed at 100 mph, the captain decided to go around for another approach. Forty inches of manifold pressure was appplied with full low pitch, the gear was fully retracted, and the flaps were retracted to the 30% position.

During the missed approach procedure the captain intentionally held a nose-low attitude in order to accelerate to a normal climb airspeed; however, in spite of the loss of altitude, no increase in airspeed indication was obtained, and the aircraft continued to lose altitude while maintaining a straight course. Approximately ½ mile south southeast of the field; the aircraft struck the ground in a fairly level attitude longitudinally. The right wing made the first impact, the aircraft subsequently turning approximately 270 degrees as it skidded to a stop.

Examination of the wreckage indicated that the aircraft impact with the ground in an area of low, flat terrain. Both engines were torn from the nacelles as the diagonal movement of the aircraft across the ground fractured the engine mount tubing. Gasoline from the left engine lines spilled, and a fire broke out on the ground around the left engine nacelle. However, it had been brought under control quickly by use of the CO—2 extinguishers, and no damage was incurred by fire.