Incident Summary
A B-29 bomber, named 'Hoxie's Hoax', crashed into the Japan Sea off Dōgo Island after a bomb detonated during a jettison attempt. The aircraft was part of a bombing mission in the Korean War, carrying a load of bombs en route to Korea. Seven crew members were killed, while five others were rescued from their dinghy approximately two days later.
Events Leading to the Crash
While cruising in formation with several other B-29 bombers, the crew experienced an engine failure. The captain decided to return to base, but the aircraft could not maintain a safe altitude. The decision was made to jettison the bombs. During the jettison process, a 500-pound bomb hung up in the racks. As the crew attempted to release the hung bomb, it detonated either within the bomb bay or immediately beneath the belly of the aircraft. The explosion caused the aircraft to go out of control, and it crashed into the sea.
Rescue and Casualties
The crash resulted in the deaths of seven crew members: S/Sgt Claude M. Engler Jr., Cpt Thomas Hoxie, Cpt Leo F. McGeough, 1st Lt Donald D. Miller, S/Sgt Robert R. O'Daniel Jr., Cpt Allan Thomas, and Sgt Harrison Utz. Five other crew members survived: S/Sgt Gilbert Bear, 1st Lt Neil A. Chapman, S/Sgt Jesse M. Hughes, Cpl Jerry Ursini, and S/Sgt Kenneth P. Wallan. The survivors were rescued from their dinghy about two days after the crash.
Probable Cause
Official findings stated that the probable cause was detonation of a bomb.