14 fatalities

Heavy Bomber 'Miss Jackie' Shot Down by Soviet Fighter Pilot (44-61967)

Sinmi-do Island, North KoreaFlight

On June 10, 1952, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress (registration 44-61967) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Sinmi-do Island, North Korea in flight. 14 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Shot down by the pilot of a Soviet fighter. 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 heavy bomber named 'Miss Jackie' was shot down by Soviet pilot Studilin over Seoncheon, North Korea, after four attacks. The aircraft crashed into the sea, killing all 14 crew members.

Attack and Crash

The aircraft, a heavy bomber named 'Miss Jackie,' was on a bombing mission targeting a railroad bridge at Gwaksan, North Korea, when it was attacked by a Soviet fighter pilot, Studilin. The Soviet aircraft made four passes at the bomber. The first attack was unsuccessful due to distance. On the second pass, the engine on the left wing caught fire. After the fourth attack, an engine on the right wing also caught fire. The bomber subsequently went out of control and crashed into the sea approximately 15–20 kilometers southeast of the Tetsyuzan peninsula.

Crew

All 14 crew members were killed in the crash. The crew consisted of:

  • A2c Douglas Earl Attinger
  • A1c Buddy Joe Bonney
  • Cpt Marvin Jr. Cessna
  • 1Lt William Sidney Earns
  • S/Sgt John Harrison Errington
  • A1c John Francis Flaherty
  • 1Lt Richard Melvin Friedman
  • Maj George Allen Hadley
  • A1c Carl August Jenkins
  • 1Lt Wilbur Eugene Lewis
  • 1Lt John Richard Miller
  • 1Lt Preston Skinner
  • A2c Westervelt Charles Stagg Jr.
  • S/Sgt Elwood John Thompson

Probable cause

Shot down by the pilot of a Soviet fighter.