Russian fighter crash during summer of 1953 west of Vienna, Austria

[Kurtl12]

Hi everybody,

today I hope to find some post WW2 military aviation experts here on this forum:
There is a report in a local book about an "Russian" fighter crash during summer of 1953 (more details are not given) west of Vienna, Austria.
Although wounded, the single pilot survived. The aircraft wreck was scrapped by local people.

Can anyone state more details on that crash or at least confirm it?
Thank you very much for any help!

Regards, K.

[Leendert]

Kurt,

In 1953 only reports so far about a Soviet military plane crash near Zagreb. Aircraft (type not specified) had taken off near Wien for a training flight, but evidently had strayed off course.

Another story here, but year and area not quite as in your question: https://www.brettl.at/blog/luftkampf-ueber-pamhagen/

Grüss,
Leendert

[Kurtl12]

Leendert, thanks for the comment. Do you have any further details about the training flight to Zagreb? Grüße, K.

[Leendert]

Found 1953 story in Dutch online newspaper archives. In night of 18/19 May 1953 Lt. Roman Petrowitsj Bondarenko parachuted from his plane some 20 kms. north of Zagreb when fire had broken out at 6.000 m altitude. Pilot was found a few days later.
The Russians had been looking for pilot and plane when they had gone missing on his/its training flight. Plane had taken off near Wien.

Crash also mentioned in British, French, American and more newspapers.

Perhaps also try the Austrian online newspapers (see https://anno.onb.ac.at/anno-suche#se...=period&from=1), with note that full text may not be visible yet (70-yr. limit).

Regards,
Leendert

[RSwank]

A few newspapers covering this:

Writeups done by both the UP (United Press) and AP (Associated Press)

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1198...e-herald-news/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1198...th-bay-nugget/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1198...imes-recorder/

[Alex Smart]

Originally Posted by Leendert

Kurt,

In 1953 only reports so far about a Soviet military plane crash near Zagreb. Aircraft (type not specified) had taken off near Wien for a training flight, but evidently had strayed off course.

Another story here, but year and area not quite as in your question: https://www.brettl.at/blog/luftkampf-ueber-pamhagen/

Grüss,
Leendert

Hi Leendert,
The photo shows the Hungarian Mig 15
Alex