It remains unclear whether Nowotny was killed due to engine failure or whether he was shot down by United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) Captain Ernest Fiebelkorn (20th Fighter Group) and 1st Lieutenant Edward "Buddy" Haydon (357th Fighter Group) east of Hesepe.
Pozostaje niewyjaśnionym, czy Nowotny zginął z powodu awarii silnika, czy na skutek zestrzelenia przez pilotów USAAF kapitana Ernesta Fiebelkorna (20th Fighter Group) i porucznika Edwarda „Buddy” Haydona (357th Fighter Group) na wschód od Hesepe.