I mean how the heck does a 707 break a missile lock? Those 4 engines would have been easily 'visible' to an AIM-9 Sidewinder. How could you miss?==
I saw russian TV show about this fact. There was pilot. He said that he made all reqired maniuvours around this plane. He swinged wings, try to speak on emergency frequency. He shot cannon with warning shots by tracing shells to bring attension. Useless. Korean didn't change course. Then he was ordered to shoot 707 down.
He let 707 ahead then locked it with missile from distance about 5 miles.
But 707 has 4 engines and at time of locking it veered right so its far left engine gave most heating so missile locked on it. Then when pilot launched and suddently 707 began veerage to left so its far left engine went to lowest regime but his far right engine heats up stronger. Hence missile was confused, then it retargeted far right engine but since it was already short distance missile coundn't turn to that right engine, missed it and began to make spiral around left wing tip of 707.
Then in few seconds the fuel of missile ran out then the self-detruct mechanism worked and exploded missile in vicinity of left wing tip of 707. This explosion teared out few yards of left wing and shorten it. But amazingly 707 continued to fly.
Pilot wasn't ordered second shot and fighter left to base.
Later came second fighter and this pilot was ordered to compel 707 to land at any place. (Air-defense command coundn't let 707 out since it passed over Severomorsk the central base of Northern Fleet of USSR).
Second pilot put his plane as he said in interview in show "on top of 707". SO just over 707 cabin and began decent threatening 707 with air collision. Korean pilot was compelled and leaded down to the frozen lake.
So how it was.
thanks for that info. interesting and your explanation makes sense to me (someone who knows nothing about this sort of thing).
Ran out of fuel? I don't think so. The missile's proximity/influence fuze (the correct spelling) most likely functioned...in case of a near misses.
Hmmmmmm? Right. Here's another version:
In April 1978, a Korean Airlines Boeing 707 strayed into Soviet airspace. The Soviets claimed they tracked the airliner for two hours, flew past it, and fired warning shots with tracers. The Korean pilot, however, testified that even though he reduced speed and activated landing lights -- the international signal that one aircraft will follow the directions of an interceptor -- a Soviet fighter fired a missile that sheared off part of the Boeing 707's left wing and ripped a hole in the fuselage, killing two passengers. The crippled airliner nose-dived from 35,000 to 3,000 feet. The pilot managed to regain control and landed the plane on a frozen lake near Murmansk. The Soviets submitted a $100,000 bill to South Korea for expenses incurred in rescuing, feeding and housing the survivors.