1953-03-12: Avro 694 Lincoln (RF531) — Royal Air Force - RAF — Boizenburg, Germany

7 fatalitiesBoizenburg, GermanyFlight

A four-engine bomber crashed in Boizenburg after being intercepted and shot down by a Soviet MiG-15 during a flight from RAF Leconfield.

What happened

During a mission traveling from RAF Leconfield to Berlin-Gatow, a four-engine bomber was intercepted and destroyed. While the official records describe the flight as a routine training mission that had deviated from its intended path, there are indications that the aircraft may have been conducting electronic intelligence gathering over East German territory.

During the encounter, the aircraft was targeted by a pilot from the Soviet Air Force flying a MiG-15. The resulting engagement led to the aircraft being shot down, causing it to crash in the vicinity of Boizenburg. The accident resulted in seven fatalities, as all crew members on board were killed.

Findings

Official investigations concluded that the destruction of the aircraft was a direct result of being shot down by a Soviet MiG-15 fighter.

Probable cause

The aircraft was intercepted and destroyed by a Soviet Air Force MiG-15 fighter.