What happened
On a morning at 06:15 local time, an RB-50G known as 'Little Red Ass', operating under the 91st SRS, was intercepted by two MiG-15 fighters from the 8DC GvIAP. The encounter occurred at 20,000 feet over the Sea of Japan, near coordinates 42°38'3"N, 132°20'9"E, following a violation of Soviet airspace near Cape Gamov.
Accounts regarding the initiation of hostilities differ between nations. Soviet records indicate that after instructions to land were given, onboard gunners engaged the interceptors, striking the aircraft piloted by 1st Lt. Aleksandr D. Rybakov. Conversely, United States reports suggest the Soviet fighters initiated the attack, causing damage to the number one engine, with the crew's return fire being a defensive measure that failed to stop a second strike which ignited the number four engine.
Following the engagement, the aircraft entered a steep descent. The structural integrity of the plane failed as portions of the tail and the right wing separated, causing the aircraft to break apart before crashing into the ocean approximately two minutes after the combat began. Of the crew, at least seven individuals managed to bail out. The copilot was the only survivor rescued, being pulled from a liferaft by the USS Picking (DD 685) after 22 hours. The pilot's body was recovered by the destroyer, having succumbed to injuries and exposure, while a flight engineer's remains were found on the Japanese coast. The remaining 13 crew members were listed as missing in action, with some suspected of being captured by Soviet patrol boats.
Findings
- The aircraft was lost due to cannon fire from two Soviet MiG-15 fighters.