Thomas Doty

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Thomas Doty became the first saboteur of a commercial jet airliner when he caused the crash of Continental Airlines Flight 11 from Chicago to Kansas City on May 22, 1962.

He brought dynamite on board the Boeing 707 aircraft, and exploded it from inside the right rear lavatory while the plane was above Unionville, Missouri during its descent towards Kansas City. All 37 passengers and 8 crew members died in the crash.

His presumed motive was securing insurance benefits for his family. Two days before the flight, Doty bought a new Ford Fairlane, and obtained a life insurance policy to pay off the car in case of death.

He had death benefits of approximately $300,000, including a $75,000 life insurance policy he purchased in the airport immediately before departure. Some of the claims were denied by the insurers.

The story of Continental Flight 11 inspired portions of Arthur Hailey's best-selling 1968 novel Airport.