1961 Cincinnati Zantop DC-4 Crash - Crash

Crash

The pilot, Calvin Goutier, the co-pilot, Richard Breathren, and the flight engineer (no name or further information on record) were flying from Detroit, Michigan, carrying automotive parts for General Motors Corporation to the airport for a routine landing while en route to Atlanta, Georgia. Upon crashing, the fuselage broke into two pieces and the wreckage was strewn along a 400-foot (122-m) path. The crash occurred about 5:26 a.m.

The plane had been tracked by radar and suddenly disappeared from the radar screen, and airport authorities saw a large flash.

The crew got out of the plane wreckage through an escape hatch, surviving with minor injuries (Goutier a sprained ankle and Breathren a leg injury). They walked to Kentucky Route 20, about 1+1⁄₂ miles (2.4 km) away, for help. A passing motorist, who worked for Delta Air Lines, noted a person walking out of the woods and continued driving to the airport. Later, Delta employees picked up the surviving crew members.