Disappearance of B-52 bomber during mission from Kadena Air Force Base

13 fatalities • East China Sea, World • Flight

A heavy bomber vanished while conducting a bombing mission to Korea, leaving no trace of the aircraft or its thirteen crew members.

What happened

During a late-day mission originating from Kadena Air Force Base, a B-52 heavy bomber disappeared while en route to Korea. The aircraft was engaged in a bombing sortie when it lost all communication with ground control. The final radio transmission was documented at approximately 21:54 local time, at which point the aircraft was positioned roughly 100 miles north of its takeoff location.

Following the loss of contact, extensive search and rescue operations were launched to locate the missing plane. Despite these efforts, no wreckage or debris from the B-52 was ever recovered. Because no evidence of the flight path's conclusion could be found, the search operations were ultimately terminated. The incident resulted in the loss of all 13 crew members on board.

Findings

No official cause for the disappearance has been determined, as the aircraft and its entire crew vanished without leaving any physical trace or wreckage for investigators to examine.

Probable cause

The cause of the disappearance remains unknown due to the total lack of wreckage or debris from the aircraft.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1952-01-31 Boeing B-29 Superfortress accident near East China Sea, World?

A heavy bomber vanished while conducting a bombing mission to Korea, leaving no trace of the aircraft or its thirteen crew members.

Were there any fatalities in the 1952-01-31 Boeing B-29 Superfortress accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 13 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1952-01-31 involved a Boeing B-29 Superfortress, registration 44-62083, operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947), at East China Sea, World.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The cause of the disappearance remains unknown due to the total lack of wreckage or debris from the aircraft.

Loading the flight search…