Cleveland – Detroit – Denver

On December 30, 1964 at 02:14 AM, Cleveland – Detroit – Denver experienced a crash involving Curtiss C-46 Commando, operated by Zantop Air Transport, with the event recorded near Detroit-Metropolitan-Wayne County Michigan.

The flight was categorized as cargo and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

4 people were known to be on board, 4 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 2, passenger fatalities: 2, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The C-46 Commando had been cleared for a runway 03L ILS approach at Detroit in poor weather (sky obscured, visibility 1 mile, light drizzle). During the approach, at 1,5 miles right of the ILS course and 1 mile NE of the Outer Marker, the aircraft suddenly entered a 45° bank left turn. The bank angle exceeded 60° as the plane crossed the localizer course from left to right. The aircraft struck several 84 feet tall trees in an 8° nose down and 30° right bank attitude, struck the ground and disintegrated. In the investigation an incapacitation of the captain was considered, but not supported by postmortem examination.

Aircraft reference details include registration N608Z, MSN 30328, year of manufacture 1944.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 42.2057°, -83.3530°.