01/03/2026
62 years ago. 3 January 1964, an USAF RB-57 "Canberra" flying out of WPAFB, suffered a catastrophic failure and began to come apart midair. The pilot was able to eject safely. Portions of the wings were found in a field near Factory and Trebein Roads. Engine structure landed in a field on Shakertown Road. The main fuselage and tail section landed in an open parking area behind Beavercreek High School. Miraciously, even though school was in session no one was injured. Only damage reported at the school was a broken window in the school and a damaged windshield on a parked automobile.
After the accident, students, faculty and staff were marshalled into the lawn in front of the school to await busses and other transportation to arrive. The newspaper article stated that the school jazz band played music during the wait.
The fuselage and other pieces of the plane were removed over the weekend from the parking lot and school was reopened 2 days later, on Monday morning
Can you imagine if this happened today? Dayton Xenia Road would be gridlocked with SUVs rushing to the school and lawyers ready to file law suits.
