14 fatalities

US Heavy Bomber Crashes into Yellow Sea During Mission (44-87734)

Nampo, North KoreaFlight

On January 23, 1952, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress (registration 44-87734) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Nampo, North Korea in flight. 14 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A technical failure occurred on one engine from which the propeller blades detached in flight and hit the fuselage. 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 US heavy bomber en route from Kadena Airbase crashed into the Yellow Sea near Nampo, with no trace of the aircraft or its 14 crew members found. Official findings suggest a propeller blade detachment from an engine failure.

Incident

A US heavy bomber, operating en route from Kadena Airbase, crashed into the Yellow Sea several kilometers off Nampo while approaching the North Korean coast. The aircraft went out of control and descended into the water. No trace of the bomber or its 14 crew members was ever found.

Crew

The crew consisted of 1st Lt James Argetis, Cpl James L. Bell, S/Sgt Richard B. Caldwell, 1st Lt Bartus H. Carter, Cpl Roderick G. Conn, 1st Lt Thomas L. Eyres, Cpt William R. Fisher, M/Sgt Carrell T. Hodges, Cpt Garold B. Kubicek, S/Sgt Asa L. Law, Pfc David Lewis, 2nd Lt Hugh K. Thomson, Cpl George A. Wedsworth, and Cpl Travis C. Wldon.

Probable Cause

The official investigation concluded that a technical failure occurred on one engine, causing the propeller blades to detach in flight. The detached blades then struck the fuselage, leading to the loss of control and subsequent crash.