On 14th Sept. 1983 photos of debris said to have come from KAL-007 were published in the Hokkaido Shimbun. The debris was collected near Mombetsu on northern Hokkaido. The debris clearly shows a Pratt and Whitney “Flying Pig” engine logo.
It’s called the “Flying Pig” as apparently when viewed upside down it resembles a pig instead of a stylised eagle. The issue is this logo was only used by Pratt and Whitney during the period 1982 to 1990. KAL-007’s engines were manufactured in or prior to 1972 where they carried the standard Eagle logo. The standard logo is clearly shown on all photos on file for KAL-007
This piece of debris thus could not have come from KAL-007. So it appears highly likely another aircraft was involved show how in this incident.
ICAO in its 1993 report stated the factual information regarding the history of the aircraft, its engines, equipment and instrumentation remained valid as contained in section 1.6 of the 1983 ICAO report. However in the 1983 ICAO report paragraph 1.6.1.3 it was stated that the airframe had a total of 36, 718hrs. Its engines have all been replaced over the previous year. Despite having new engines installed they all have very high hrs similar to the airframe hrs and thus would still have the standard eagle logo as manufactured prior to 1982. The exception is engine #2 which is plausible (depending on operating hrs) on carrying the flying pig logo.
However the most recent images of KAL007 engine #2 (inboard left side from pilot perspective) taken in 1983 (month not known) clearly show the standard Pratt and Whitney logo. The image on right is supposedly the last known picture of KAL007 taken at twilight at Anchorage during spool up prior to taking off on its fateful flight. It clearly shows engine#2 sporting the standard eagle logo (engine #1 is blank)
Most recent 1983 Starboard side photos
