The Detroit News. Rumsfeld said the Chinese fighter pilot flew too close, lost control and struck the American plane from below. The F-8 pilot clearly put at risk the lives of 24 Americans. Rumsfeld's comments at a Pentagon press briefing mark the first time a top administration official has openly blamed China for the incident which led to the American plane's 24-member crew being held captive on a Chinese island for 11 days.
China insists the U.S. plane caused the crash and still holds it.
It seemed to me that with the crew safely back in the U.S., it was time to set out factually what actually took place. Wednesday's meeting was arranged as part of the settlement that led to the crew's release. They owe us an explanation.