Crash of a Boeing B-29-30-MO Superfortress near Pyongyang: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jan 29, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
42-65357
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Pohang - Pohang
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
14
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
While on a night bombing mission, the aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a Soviet AF MiG-15 fighter and crashed about 20 km south of Pyongyang. Five crew members were rescued and became POW while nine others were killed.
Crew:
A2c Gerald D. Abrahamson,
1st Lt Gilbert L. Ashley Jr., †
1st Lt Dewey R. Henry, †
A2c Hidemaro S. Ishida,
Sgt Lee H. Miller,
A2c James J. O'Meara Jr., †
1st Lt Arthur R. Olsen, †
A2c James D. Pope, †
A2c Edward A. Schwab, †
2nd Lt John P. Shaddick III, †
A3c Frank J. Stevenson,
2nd Lt Dewey Stopa, †
1st Lt Harold P. Turner, †
A2c Robert L. Weinbrandt.
Probable cause:
Shot down by the pilot of a Soviet AF MiG-15 fighter.

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-35-MO Superfortress in Tom-ni: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 27, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-27262
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kadena - Kadena
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
14
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
En route, the heavy bomber was attacked by Major Anatoly Karelin, pilot of a Soviet AF MiG-15 fighter. Ten crew members were able to bail out before the aircraft crashed. A crew member was rescued while three others were killed in the crash. Those killed were:
M/Sgt Cleo A. Brown,
1st Lt Edward R. Francis,
1st Lt Ralph I. Phy.
Probable cause:
Shot down by the pilot of a Soviet AF MiG-15 fighter.

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-70-BN Superfortress near Sinuiju: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 13, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-62217
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Clark - Clark
MSN:
11694
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
14
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Assigned to the 581st Air Resupply and Communications Wing, Kadena AB, Okinawa (91st SRS), was shot down by MiG's during a leaflet dropping mission on January 13, 1953. One of the most sensational missions of the 581st in Korea occurred on 12 January 1953, when a 581st ARC B-29 (tail number 44-62217) on its first leaflet drop mission with the 581st ARC Wing Commander, (as well as the operations commander of the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing) on board, was shot down on their last leaflet target just south of the Yalu River in far northern Korea near the Chinese town of Antung. At the time, Russian fighter squadrons, some equipped for night flying, were supporting and supplying the Chinese with airpower, including the Russian-made MiG-15 Fagot. Twelve Russian MiG-15s from the 351st (and perhaps the 535th) Fighter Air Regiments (IAP) intercepted a lone Superfortress of the 581st ARCW south of the Yalu River, about 15 miles from the Chinese border. The MiGs were scrambled and vectored to the bomber's location by Russian radar-controlled searchlight units stationed near Antung, China. The searchlights illuminated the unarmed Superfortress and several MiGs engaged the bomber. Russian MiG pilot of the 351st IAP was credited with the intercept and downing of the B-29. Although US sources believe the B-29 was flying in North Korean airspace at the time of its mayday call, a belief that is strongly disputed by the Chinese and Russian authorities, crew members who bailed and landed believe they were in North Korean territory. Upon capture, the crew was rounded up, blindfolded and put aboard trucks, subsequently transported into China and later charged as CIA spies (the Chinese subsequently learned of the CIA connection with the ARCW units). During the highly publicized Chinese trial in Peking in October 1954, the surviving crew members, along with captured CIA agents, who were imprisoned two years earlier after they had been shot down while attempting to pick up their Chinese double agent, were given prison sentences ranging from 5 years to life. Not until 4 August 1955, two years after the Korean War Armistice, were the surviving crew members released from Chinese prison. These crew members held the distinction of being the longest held POW USAF captives of the war.
Crew:
Col John K. Arnold Jr.,
Maj William E. Baumer,
A2c Harry M. Benjamin Jr.,
T/Sgt Howard W. Brown,
1st Lt Wallace L. Brown,
Cpt John W. Buck,
A1c Alvin D. Hart Jr., †
A1c Steve E. Kiba,
Cpt Elmer F. Llewellyn,
A1c Daniel C. Schmidt,
A2c John W. Thompson III,
Cpt Eugene J. Vaadi,
1st Lt Paul E. Van Voorhis, †
1st Lt Henry D. Weese. †
Source: http://www.joebaugher.com
Probable cause:
Shot down by Soviet MiG-15 fighter.

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-45-BN Superfortress near Chinnampo: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 10, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-61802
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Pohang - Pohang
MSN:
11279
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
13
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The aircraft was on a bombing mission over the Anju Marshaling Yard when it was hit by enemy fire from MiG-15's immediately prior to bombs away. After bombs away and while still under attack, the aircraft started losing altitude. After crossing the Taedong River by Chinnampo, the aircraft commander reported number three engine on fire. Twelve of thirteen members of the crew bailed out. The burning B-29 flew toward friendly lines while USAF Fighter Jets followed it, however, the B-29 continued to descend until it hit the side of a mountain and exploded. The crew killed was Captain Arthur Heise.
Source: http://www.joebaugher.com
Probable cause:
Shot down by MiG-15 fighter.

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-60-BN Superfortress near Pyongyang: 7 killed

Date & Time: Dec 30, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-62011
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
11488
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
Shot down by the pilots of Soviet AF MiG-15 and crashed about 40 km north of Pyongyang. It is believed that seven crew members were killed while five others became POW.
Crew:
1st Lt Harold Copland,
M/Sgt Patrick M. Differ, †
1st Lt Robert R. Foster, †
2nd Lt David T. Heer, †
A1c Rudolf Nikles, †
A2c Damian F. O'Toole, †
1st Lt Otho A. Orr,
1st Lt Harry M. Rehm, †
A2c Daryl E. Rodney, †
A2c Donald G. Swalls,
A2c Leland H. Van Slyke,
1st Lt Paul I. Wilcox.
Probable cause:
Shot down by Soviet AF fighter.

Crash of a Boeing B-29-55-MO Superfortress near Ch'o-do Island: 12 killed

Date & Time: Nov 19, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-86392
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kadena - Kadena
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
14
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
Following a bombing mission over North Korea, the heavy bomber was returning to its base in Kadena when it was attacked by few Soviet AF MiG-15. Out of control, the aircraft went into a dive and two occupants were able to bail out before it crashed into the sea about eight km north of the Ch'o-do Island. Twelve crew members were killed and two others were rescued.
Crew:
1st Lt Robert J. Bird, †
T/Sgt Morton H. Jensen, †
Maj Kassel M. Keene, †
A2c Robert J. McLoughlin, †
A2c James L. Nichols, †
1st Lt James K. Peck, †
A1c James H. Porter, †
Maj William F. Sawyer,
2nd Lt Myron F. Sestak, †
1st Lt Beverly A. Swingle, †
S/Sgt Raymond Thompson, †
M/Sgt Horace N. Tiller, †
S/Sgt William H. Whitman, †
1st Lt Allan R. Winchester.
Probable cause:
Shot down by Soviet fighter.

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-60-BN Superfortress near Chinnampo: 9 killed

Date & Time: Nov 8, 1952 at 2300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-62073
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kadena - Kadena
MSN:
11550
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
While overflying North Korea by night on a bombing mission, the aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a Soviet AF MiG-15 fighter (pilot Major Anatoly Karelin). The heavy bomber went out of control and into a dive during which three crew members were able to bail out. They were found alive a day later and became POW. All nine other occupants were killed in the crash.
Crew:
1st Lt Emmett O. Evans, †
1st Lt James W. Fleming Jr., †
Cpt Fred H. Garrison, †
A1c Franklin H. Hall,
T/Sgt Keith E. Hammon, †
1st Lt Charles M. Hill Jr.,
S/Sgt Wayne F. Jensen, †
A1c Robert P. Kelleher, †
1st Lt Charles F. Kirk, †
A1c Clyde E. Schluter,
A2c Warren W. Schmitt, †
Cpt Norman W. Schneidt, †
Probable cause:
Shot down by a Soviet AF fighter.

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-45-BN Stratofortress off Kadena: 11 killed

Date & Time: Oct 31, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-61751
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kadena - Kadena
MSN:
11228
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
14
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
While approaching Kadena AFB, the aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea about 14,5 km northwest of the airbase. Intensive SAR operations were conducted and three crew members were rescued while 11 others were killed.
Crew:
Cpt Donald L. Adams, †
2nd Lt Michael Bochnovic, †
1st Lt Gordon N. Froisness, †
Cpt Robert G. Harvey, †
2nd Lt John H. Haun, †
A2c Robert Q. Hopkins, †
1st Lt James E. Knox,
A1c Edward B. Lemaster III,
A2c Harry T. Peoples Jr., †
1st Lt Robert F. Phalen, †
A2c Charles H. Rees,
A1c Jimmy C. Sides, †
M/Sgt Marvin E. Sleppy, †
A2c Donald H. Wilson. †
Probable cause:
It is believed that the loss of control was caused by the simultaneous failure of three engine due to a fuel starvation.

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-75-BN Stratofortress in Wilsonville: 11 killed

Date & Time: Oct 8, 1952 at 1600 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-62320
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Travis - Travis
MSN:
11797
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
The crew left Travis AFB on a special mission consisting of an aerial attack of the city of Portland. Two pilots on board a Lockheed F-94 Starfire registered 49-2574 left McChord AFB to assist the bomber in this mission. In flight, while engaged in a gunnery mission, both aircraft collided. It is believed that during one of the mock passes at the bomber, the fighter struck the outer wing of the B-29. While the crew of the Starfire was able to complete an emergency landing at Aurora Airport, the heavy bomber went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a field. All 11 crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Billy Edward Butler,
Cpt William E. Cullen,
A1c Glen P. Daily,
Cpt Parker A. Goodall,
Maj Robert W. Head,
Lt Orval L. Huffman,
Maj Robert Cleveland Jobe,
S/Sgt Clarence Krohn,
A2c Charles E. Wovries 2.

Crash of a Boeing B-29-60-BW Superfortress near Gangneung: 11 killed

Date & Time: Sep 13, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-69802
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Kadena - Kadena
MSN:
10634
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
The heavy bomber left Kadena AFB on a bombing mission over North Korea. En route, the crew encountered severe icing conditions and the aircraft went of control and crashed in a mountainous area located about 34 km southwest of Gangneung. A crew member was rescued while 11 other were killed.
Crew:
2nd Lt Merle T. Ayers, †
1st Lt John L. Dreese, †
M/Sgt Alphonse Gerrato Jr.,
M/Sgt Ralph R. Heath, †
1st Lt Raymond B. Houston, †
A2c George D. Jones Jr., †
A2c Jimmie L. Kahanek, †
A2c James McCormick, †
A1c Richard T. Michel, †
Cpt John L. Roberts, †
Maj Earl J. Sanders Jr., †
A2c Amos C. Temples. †
Probable cause:
It was reported that the loss of control was caused by an excessive accumulation of ice on wings in flight.