What happened
During a mission originating from Kadena Air Force Base, a B-29 Superfortress was conducting operations over South Korea. While the heavy bomber was maintaining its cruise altitude in the vicinity of Seoul, it was intercepted by three Yakovlev Yak-9 fighters belonging to the North Korean Air Force.
Following an engagement with these enemy aircraft, the crew managed to navigate the bomber away from the combat zone. However, as the aircraft reached the airspace above the Yellow Sea, the situation became untenable, and the crew was forced to evacuate the plane. The aircraft subsequently entered a dive and crashed into the ocean. All 13 individuals on board were successfully recovered during the rescue operation. This incident marked the first instance of a B-29 Superfortress being destroyed by enemy fire throughout the Korean War.
Findings
The destruction of the aircraft was the direct result of interception and attack by three North Korean fighter aircraft.