3 fatalities

Unexplained disappearance of aircraft during night mission (44-34345)

North Korea, North KoreaFlight

On February 4, 1953, a Douglas A-26 Invader (registration 44-34345) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near North Korea, North Korea in flight. 3 people were killed. 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-06-14Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft vanished during a nighttime intruder mission, resulting in the loss of all three crew members.

What happened

During a scheduled night intruder mission, an aircraft disappeared under circumstances that remain undetermined. The flight was engaged in its operational objectives when contact was lost. Following the disappearance, no wreckage or debris from the aircraft was recovered, and the event has been characterized as a loss without trace.

All three individuals on board the aircraft perished in the incident. The crew consisted of two captains and one airman.

Findings

The specific cause of the disappearance remains unknown, as the aircraft crashed under unidentified circumstances. Because no physical evidence or wreckage was located following the mission, investigators were unable to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the loss of the flight.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 4 Feb 1953 Douglas A-26 Invader accident near North Korea, North Korea?

An aircraft vanished during a nighttime intruder mission, resulting in the loss of all three crew members.

Were there any fatalities in the 4 Feb 1953 Douglas A-26 Invader accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 4 Feb 1953 involved a Douglas A-26 Invader, registration 44-34345, operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947), at North Korea, North Korea.