Four Down On Old Peachtree Road

by Ben Cole

A few minutes after midnight on December 6, 1953, a flight of Georgia Air National Guard jets preparing to land at Dobbins Air Base near Atlanta, Georgia, disappeared from radar screens. Soon afterwards the worst fears were realized when the smoldering remains of the four planes were found at the site of a burned farmhouse near Suwanee, Georgia. After an investigation by the Air Force the official cause of the crash was determined and addressed. This is the story of the events and facts that were not part of the official findings, but are important in understanding what really happened that night.

280 pages, Perfect Paperback

First published December 1, 2006

Reviews

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

On December 6, 1953, four fighter jets flying in formation in the night crashed into the ground in rural (at the time) Gwinnett County, Georgia (now metro Atlanta). This book examines that event. It also delves into the history of aviation and the development of low-visibility and instrument navigation. I found the book interesting for two reasons: one, I am an aviation fan, and (2), I live in Gwinnett County and, for a decade of my time here, lived very close to the crash site. The book will appeal to readers who share one or both of those reasons. I recognized many of the places and names that popped up.

For years I passed almost daily by the green historical marker on the site, so I knew the crash had happened. But I enjoyed (and was saddened) learning about the details of the planes, the accident, the people involved, and the changes that came about because of it.