9 fatalities

Bomber Shot Down Over Yalu River, Crashes into Yellow Sea (44-70151)

Yellow Sea, WorldFlight

On October 23, 1951, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress (registration 44-70151) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Yellow Sea, World in flight. 9 people were killed. 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)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A bomber on a mission over the Yalu River was attacked by a MiG pilot. The crew evacuated the area, but the aircraft crashed into the Yellow Sea. Four crew members were rescued, and nine were killed.

Mission and Attack

The aircraft was engaged in a bombing mission over the Yalu River when it was attacked by the pilot of a MiG. The crew was able to evacuate the area, but the airplane eventually crashed into the Yellow Sea.

Casualties and Rescue

Few crew members were able to bail out. Four were rescued, while nine others were killed. The crew included:

  • S/Sgt Joseph S. Dougherty
  • † Cpt Emil B. Goldbeck
  • Sgt William A. Gross
  • T/Sgt Robert W. Hamblin
  • † Lt Col Julius E. O'Neal
  • † 1st Lt Roger W. Penninger
  • † Cpt Thomas L. Shields
  • † Cpt Ted W. Smith
  • Cpl Paul E. Stainbrook Jr.
  • 1st Lt James G. Vretis
  • † 1st Lt Edward C. Wahlgren
  • † Cpl Edward A. Webb
  • † Cpl Carl E. West

No further details are available.