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Aircraft Hit by Antiaircraft Fire Over Sunchon, Crew Bails Out (44-86357)

Pyongyang-Sunan, North KoreaFlight

On August 23, 1951, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress (registration 44-86357) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Pyongyang-Sunan, North Korea in flight. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Shot down by enemy fire. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A military aircraft was struck by antiaircraft fire over Sunchon. The pilot evacuated the combat area, but all crew bailed out west of Pyongyang-Sunan Airport. The aircraft was destroyed; one crew member was killed, ten survived.

Incident Overview

While flying over Sunchon, the aircraft was hit by antiaircraft fire. The pilot was able to evacuate the combat area and flew west of the capital city when the situation on board forced all crew members to bail out and to abandon the aircraft. The aircraft crashed 17 km west of Pyongyang-Sunan Airport. A crew member was killed while 10 others survived. The aircraft was destroyed. The crew members were: 1st Lt George W. Beale, Cpl Glenn W. Brown, Cpl Herbert D. Brown, S/Sgt Burl D. Dean, 1st Lt Edward M. Gibbens, Sgt Jack D. Kennedy, M/Sgt Charles L. Mullins, 1st Lt Jack L. Murray, S/Sgt Jesse C. Ring (deceased), 1st Lt Robert L. Warner, and 1st Lt William J. Wright.

Probable Cause

The official probable cause was that the aircraft was shot down by enemy fire.

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 23 Aug 1951 Boeing B-29 Superfortress accident near Pyongyang-Sunan, North Korea?

A military aircraft was struck by antiaircraft fire over Sunchon. The pilot evacuated the combat area, but all crew bailed out west of Pyongyang-Sunan Airport. The aircraft was destroyed; one crew member was killed, ten survived.

Were there any fatalities in the 23 Aug 1951 Boeing B-29 Superfortress accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 23 Aug 1951 involved a Boeing B-29 Superfortress, registration 44-86357, operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947), at Pyongyang-Sunan, North Korea.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Shot down by enemy fire.

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