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US Heavy Bomber Shot Down by Soviet MiG-15 Over North Korea (44-62073)

Chinnampo, North KoreaFlight

On November 8, 1952, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress (registration 44-62073) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Chinnampo, North Korea in flight. 9 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Shot down by a Soviet AF 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 US heavy bomber on a night bombing mission over North Korea was shot down by a Soviet MiG-15 fighter piloted by Major Anatoly Karelin. Three crew members bailed out and survived as POWs; nine others were killed.

Incident Overview

While overflying North Korea by night on a bombing mission, a US heavy bomber was shot down by the pilot of a Soviet Air Force MiG-15 fighter, Major Anatoly Karelin. The aircraft went out of control and entered a dive, during which three crew members were able to bail out. They were found alive a day later and became prisoners of war. The other nine occupants were killed in the crash.

Crew

The crew members were:

  • 1st Lt Emmett O. Evans
  • 1st Lt James W. Fleming Jr. (deceased)
  • Cpt Fred H. Garrison (deceased)
  • A1c Franklin H. Hall
  • T/Sgt Keith E. Hammon (deceased)
  • 1st Lt Charles M. Hill Jr. (deceased)
  • S/Sgt Wayne F. Jensen (deceased)
  • A1c Robert P. Kelleher (deceased)
  • 1st Lt Charles F. Kirk (deceased)
  • A1c Clyde E. Schluter
  • A2c Warren W. Schmitt (deceased)
  • Cpt Norman W. Schneidt (deceased)

Those marked as deceased were killed in the crash; the three unmarked survived and became POWs.

Probable cause

Shot down by a Soviet AF fighter.
Midair collision

Related events

Same operator

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