Thomas G. Doty was a 34-year-old salesman from Merriam, Kansas. He was married and had a young daughter. In April 1962, Doty was arrested for the armed robbery of a Kansas City woman and was scheduled to appear in court later that month. Facing legal troubles and financial difficulties, Doty reportedly told his wife, "Don't worry, I'll take care of this in my own way. I'll find a way to destroy myself without arousing suspicion".

In the days leading up to May 22, 1962, Doty purchased six sticks of dynamite and took out multiple life insurance policies totaling approximately $300,000, naming his wife as the beneficiary.

On May 22, 1962, Continental Airlines Flight 11, a Boeing 707-124 (registration N70775), departed from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, en route to Kansas City, Missouri. Doty arrived at the gate after boarding had closed, but the doors were reopened to allow him to board.

At approximately 9:17 PM, while flying over Centerville, Iowa, an explosion occurred in the right rear lavatory of the aircraft. The blast, caused by the dynamite Doty had smuggled onboard, resulted in the separation of the tail section from the fuselage. The aircraft broke apart and crashed near Unionville, Missouri, killing all 45 people on board, including Doty himself.

Investigators determined that Doty had placed the dynamite in the lavatory's towel bin and detonated it in an apparent suicide intended to provide his family with life insurance payouts. However, since his death was ruled a suicide, the insurance claims were denied.