What happened
Shortly after departing from runway 2el at the Cincinnati-Greater Cincinnati Airport, a Martin aircraft began a right-hand turn while ascending through an altitude between 700 and 900 feet. During this maneuver, the plane struck a Douglas DC-3, registered N999B, which was operated by Castleton Inc. The DC-3 was being flown by a two-person crew on a route traveling from Battle Creek to Miami, with a scheduled stop in Lexington.
The impact occurred when the left wing of the DC-3 made contact with the right engine of the Martin. This collision forced both aircraft into a rapid descent. The planes subsequently crashed into a wooded area and a snow-covered field situated within the Cincinnati suburbs. The force of the impact caused the total destruction of both airframes, and there were 15 fatalities in total, representing all occupants from both flights.
Findings
Investigations determined that the primary factor in the accident was the unauthorized operation of the DC-3 within the control zone. The aircraft was flying as unidentified traffic without proper clearance and was positioned very near the base of the overcast clouds.