IV
107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 106
Commending the crew of the United States Navy EP–3 Aries II reconnais-
sance aircraft that on April 1, 2001, while flying in international airspace
off the coast of China, was involved in a mid-air collision with a Chinese
fighter aircraft for their outstanding performance of duty and exemplary
conduct and expressing the sense of Congress concerning continued
United States reconnaissance and surveillance flights in the area.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL 25, 2001
Mr. SKELTON submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Armed Services
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Commending the crew of the United States Navy EP–3
Aries II reconnaissance aircraft that on April 1, 2001,
while flying in international airspace off the coast of
China, was involved in a mid-air collision with a Chinese
fighter aircraft for their outstanding performance of duty
and exemplary conduct and expressing the sense of Con-
gress concerning continued United States reconnaissance
and surveillance flights in the area.
Whereas on April 1, 2001, a United States Navy EP–3 Aries
II reconnaissance aircraft on a routine reconnaissance
and surveillance mission in international airspace off the
coast of China was intercepted by two F–8 fighter jet air-
craft of the People’s Republic of China;
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Whereas one of the F–8 fighters flew dangerously close to the
EP–3 aircraft and collided with it, resulting in structural
damage to the EP–3 aircraft and loss of altitude and
control;
Whereas there have been other incidents of Chinese military
pilots being overly aggressive in intercepting United
States reconnaissance aircraft operating in international
airspace;
Whereas the crew of the United States aircraft transmitted
a series of ‘‘Mayday’’ distress calls and, despite severe
damage to the aircraft, was able to successfully land at
the nearest airfield, the Lingshui military airfield on Hai-
nan Island, China;
Whereas the entire EP–3 crew conducted themselves in an
exemplary manner, both in safely landing the aircraft
notwithstanding the severe structural damage sustained
and in following prescribed procedures for minimizing the
compromise of sensitive national security information;
Whereas the 24 members of the EP–3 crew were detained
against their will for 11 days before being released; and
Whereas after the landing, personnel of the People’s Libera-
tion Army of the People’s Republic of China boarded the
EP–3 aircraft, notwithstanding its status under inter-
national law as property of the United States: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That (a) Congress commends the 24 mem-
bers of the crew of the United States Navy EP–3 Aries
II reconnaissance aircraft that on April 1, 2001, was
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struck by a F–8 fighter aircraft of the People’s Republic
of China in a mid-air collision and in particular—
(1) commends the crew for the conduct of their
reconnaissance and surveillance mission in inter-
national airspace in accordance with international
law and prescribed United States Navy flight proce-
dures, notwithstanding the dangerous actions of the
Chinese aircraft;
(2) commends the pilot and other members of
the crew responsible for operation of the aircraft for
their outstanding performance following the collision
with the Chinese aircraft, first in regaining control
of the aircraft and then in successfully landing the
aircraft;
(3) commends the crew for their actions in ad-
hering to prescribed procedures for minimizing the
compromise of sensitive national security informa-
tion; and
(4) commends the entire crew for their personal
conduct while being detained by the People’s Repub-
lic of China during the 11-day period following their
landing on Hainan Island, China.
(b) It is the sense of Congress that—
(1) the April 1, 2001, incident described in sub-
section (a) should not be the basis for a reduction
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in, or cessation of, lawful reconnaissance and sur-
veillance flights in that area by United States Armed
Forces aircraft;
(2) the United States Navy EP–3 aircraft now
sitting on a military airfield on Hainan Island,
China, should be immediately returned to the United
States; and
(3) continued interception and aggressive tac-
tics by Chinese pilots toward lawful United States
reconnaissance and surveillance flights may under-
mine important relationships between the United
States and People’s Republic of China.
Æ