Curtiss R-4LM

U.S. Air Mail Service

The airplane departed Bustleton, PA, on a mail flight to Washington DC, carrying one passenger and one pilot. While cruising at an altitude of 1,700 feet, the engine caught fire. The pilot reduced his altitude to attempt an emergency landing but at a height of about 200 feet, the passenger jumped out the aircraft and fell into the ground. The aircraft crash landed and was damaged beyond repair. While the pilot escaped unhurt, the passenger died from his injuries few hours later.

U.S. Air Mail Service

En route, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to foggy conditions. Too low, the aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located in Catonsville, about 10 km north of the Baltimore Airport. The pilot Lyman W. Doty was killed.