(LEAD) N. Korean helicopter crashes in China, killing pilot: source(actually MIG-21)

Yonhap News ^ | 08/18/10

[PastorBooks]

“Is the rescued guy already dead?”

If the pilot survived he could give the Chinese a good look into the readiness of the NK airforce. If they say he’s dead they don’t have to return him.

[chainsaw]

This sounds just like a chinese Arkancide.

[epluribus_2]

Pilot wanting to leave socialist paradise. Obviously mentally ill. Obama administration spokesman states if not killed in crash, ought to be drug tested.

[Tommyjo]

It is not a MiG-15. The ident is a MiG-21.

[mkjessup]

TLR? Thanks for this thread and the excellent data, and just to echo other FReepers, don't think for one second that you are any kind of 'fool', absolutely NO WAY my FRiend, you don't have control over the naming conventions of any image hosting service, especially with a dynamic (as in 'changing') story like this one. You scooped 'em as I see it, and the pilot that was presumably seeking to defect should have followed the example of the Number One Juchebag Kim Jong, and taken a TRAIN, instead of flying. ;)

Nice catch TLR! :)

[gogogodzilla]

The pilot probably tried to bail out... only to realize that their ejection seat hadn’t been worked on since the Norks bought the MiG-21 from the USSR all those many years again.

Then died on impact.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Update 1 from Yonhap News

According to Kyodo News, there is a survivor from the crash who was able to parachute down to safety, quoting Hong Kong media.

Update 2 from Yonhap News

Summary: A reporter from Yonhap News drove to reach the crash site in Fushun. However, the site was cordoned off by local police. Checkpoints were set up to restrict access to the site. He managed to interview witnesses and other locals. According to them, it crashed between 3 and 4 pm yesterday(Aug. 17.) It flew low and circled over the village a few times. It made some erratic noises while flying, suddenly stalled and crashed. The plane was relatively intact after the crash.

[Gondring]

“Let me be clear...he had the right to leave but I won’t comment on whether it was wise.”

[freebird5850]

FR rocks. I too love it when we get the news out......correctly!

[Liberty Valance]

bump

[Thunder90]

The Russian FSB would have sent the pilot back to North Korea.

[Thunder90]

Not to mention the fact that Russia has S-300’s and other air defense assets close to North Korea... That’s why the guy flew to China and hoped he could get to Russia through there. All futile though, because the Russians will send Northkors back to North Korea.

[DesertRhino]

I read an article in a magazine somewhere about an American civolan pilot who bought a MiG-21. He described telling the tower that VERY quickly after take off, that they would be hearing from him again, and that final approach would be like 200kts and that he would be nearly out of fuel.

[AdmSmith]

Do you think that the owner of the house that the plane crashed into will get compensation from a) China, b) NK or c) no compensation?

[AmericanInTokyo]

TLR, once again, kicks ASS and takes NAMES.

Well done, sir. Bravo!

[AdmSmith]

For those of use with extra time to spend. We might find something interesting.:

The North Korean Air Force by Google Earth

http://freekorea.us/2007/04/29/the-north-korean-air-force-by-google-earth/

[AmericanInTokyo]

Somebody at the Shinuiju Air Base (Uiju Korea Peoples Army Air Force) HERE will have to take responsiblity and be executed or sent to the camps. Further up the chain of command, they could also sack a General or two, particularly over border security and (failure of) shooting down any skeedaddling DPRK jets trying to make it out with defecting pilots to China or Russia. It will be interest to get humint on any shake ups in that region of the Party and Military over this DPRK screw up.

[AdmSmith]

us =>us

[AdmSmith]

Press reports have mentioned a North Korea airfield at Sinuiju as a likely place of origin, but I’ve never seen anything but Il-28 bombers on that field.

http://www.freekorea.us/2010/08/18/north-korean-fighter-pilot-dies-in-possible-defection-attempt/

[GOPJ]

Thanks for the ping.