Korean KE007 shot down in '83 by accident - new data released

[Shemya]

PersonFromPorlock

I believe you are correct in your recall, the RC-135 did turn back long before KAL 007 was intercepted. However the two aircraft flight paths could have crossed northeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. It is possible that the targets could have become one/close on a GCI scope in that location.



The best explanation (read theory) for KAL 007 deviating from its planned flight track I ever read was in AW&ST Letters to the Editor. The letter was by a (IIRC) couple of Canadian Air Force navigators. They stated that KAL 007 had a 10 point INS and theorized that the destination Aerodrome was loaded in waypoint 10. This was common airline practice in that era and it allowed you to check the great circle route distance to destination Aerodrome when desired. The two navigators speculated that one of the pilots checked the distance to the destination Aerodrome by selecting waypoint 10 and then hit ENTER on the INS (commanding go direct waypoint 10) rather than staying on the INS programed current planned flight track.



Another item I have never seen mentioned about KAL 007 is the Aircraft Commander of the RC-135 the night KAL 007 was shot down was killed 17 months later in the crash of an RC-135 in Valdez, Alaska. There is quite a bit of background material on this website that can add to one’s ability to speculate what happened the evening KAL 007 was shot down. http://www.rc135.com/0000/INDEX.HTM



One other tidbit that follows this event to this day is a major airline today daily flies a flight numbered 07 through the geographic area where the KAL 007 event took place. On the anniversary of the KAL 007 event they renumber the flight for the day.