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B-29 Superfortress Downed by North Korean Fighters Over Yellow Sea (44-69866)

Yellow Sea, WorldFlight

On July 12, 1950, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress (registration 44-69866) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Yellow Sea, World in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Shot down by three North Korean fighters. 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 B-29 Superfortress on a mission over South Korea was attacked by three North Korean Yak-9 fighters near Seoul. The crew abandoned the aircraft over the Yellow Sea, and all 13 occupants were rescued. It was the first B-29 shot down by enemy fire in the Korean War.

Incident Overview

A B-29 Superfortress, departing from Kadena Air Force Base, was on a mission over South Korea. While cruising in the region of Seoul, the heavy bomber came under attack by three pilots of the North Korean Air Force (KPAFAC) flying Yakovlev Yak-9 aircraft. The crew managed to leave the area, but while over the Yellow Sea, they were forced to abandon the airplane. The B-29 subsequently dove into the sea and crashed.

Rescue

All 13 occupants of the aircraft were rescued. This event marked the first instance of a B-29 Superfortress being shot down by enemy fire during the Korean War.

Probable Cause

The official findings state that the aircraft was shot down by three North Korean fighters.

Midair collision

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 12 Jul 1950 Boeing B-29 Superfortress accident near Yellow Sea, World?

A B-29 Superfortress on a mission over South Korea was attacked by three North Korean Yak-9 fighters near Seoul. The crew abandoned the aircraft over the Yellow Sea, and all 13 occupants were rescued. It was the first B-29 shot down by enemy fire in the Korean War.

Were there any fatalities in the 12 Jul 1950 Boeing B-29 Superfortress accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 12 Jul 1950 involved a Boeing B-29 Superfortress, registration 44-69866, operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947), at Yellow Sea, World.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Shot down by three North Korean fighters.

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