1 fatality

Bomber Shot Down Over Pyongyang During Mission (44-34563)

Sinmak, North KoreaFlight

On May 7, 1951, a Douglas A-26 Invader (registration 44-34563) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Sinmak, North Korea in flight. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Shot down by enemy fire. 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 bomber on a mission over Pyongyang was hit by antiaircraft fire, leading to the bailout of two crew members and the crash of the aircraft east of Sinmak. The pilot was killed.

Incident Overview

A bomber aircraft was engaged in a bombing mission over Pyongyang when it was struck by antiaircraft fire. The right engine of the aircraft was hit. In response, the pilot decided to evacuate the combat zone. Two crew members subsequently bailed out of the aircraft. The pilot then lost control of the aircraft, which crashed approximately 15 km east of Sinmak. The aircraft was destroyed in the crash, and the pilot was killed.

Crew Information

The crew members on board were identified as Cpt Carl T. Griffith, Lt Col Donald J. MacLellan, and S/Sgt Gerald W. Raymond. The pilot who lost control and was killed is not explicitly specified in the source, but the crew list includes all three individuals.

Official Findings

The probable cause of the accident, as determined by official findings, is that the aircraft was shot down by enemy fire.