Chinese Fighter Aircraft Intercept American Plane
Statement for Release
U.S. Pacific Command Honolulu
CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii - At approximately 8:15 p.m. Eastern Standard
Time, Saturday, March 31, (9:15 a.m. Sunday local time in China) in
international waters, a U.S. Navy EP-3 maritime patrol aircraft on a
routine surveillance mission over the South China Sea, was intercepted
by two People's Republic of China fighter aircraft. There was contact
between one of the Chinese aircraft and the EP-3, causing sufficient
damage for the U.S. plane to issue a "Mayday" signal and divert to an
airfield on Hainan Island, PRC. No crewmembers are reported injured.
We have communicated our concerns about this incident to the PRC
Government through the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and the PRC Embassy in
Washington, D.C. We expect that the PRC Government will respect the
integrity of the aircraft and the well-being and safety of the crew in
accordance with international practices, expedite any necessary
repairs to the aircraft, and facilitate the immediate return of the
aircraft and crew.
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