4 fatalities

Unidentified Aircraft Disappearance Over North Korea (44-34386)

North Korea, North KoreaFlight

On February 11, 1951, a Douglas A-26 Invader (registration 44-34386) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near North Korea, North Korea in flight. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The cause of the disappearance remains undetermined due to the absence of any recoverable wreckage or debris. 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 disappeared during a night-time reconnaissance mission over North Korean territory, leaving no trace of the vessel or its occupants.

What happened

During a scheduled night intruder mission, an unidentified aircraft went missing while operating within the airspace of North Korea. The final communication received from the flight was recorded at 00:28 local time. Following the loss of contact, extensive searches were conducted, but no wreckage or debris from the aircraft was located.

All four crew members on board are currently unaccounted for, as no evidence of their survival or the crash site has been identified. The disappearance occurred during the night phase of flight, complicating immediate recovery efforts.

Findings

No official investigation has successfully recovered the aircraft to determine the exact location of the impact. The primary difficulty in establishing a definitive conclusion remains the total lack of physical evidence or wreckage following the loss of radio contact.

Probable cause

The cause of the disappearance remains undetermined due to the absence of any recoverable wreckage or debris.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 11 Feb 1951 Douglas A-26 Invader accident near North Korea, North Korea?

An aircraft disappeared during a night-time reconnaissance mission over North Korean territory, leaving no trace of the vessel or its occupants.

Were there any fatalities in the 11 Feb 1951 Douglas A-26 Invader accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 4 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 11 Feb 1951 involved a Douglas A-26 Invader, registration 44-34386, operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947), at North Korea, North Korea.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The cause of the disappearance remains undetermined due to the absence of any recoverable wreckage or debris.