Spy plane 'gave secrets to China'
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The spy plane was disassembled in China before being shipped to the U.S.
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Classified material aboard a U.S. Navy spy plane that collided with a Chinese jet two years ago was not entirely destroyed by the crew, and likely was retrieved by Chinese authorities, according to a newly released military report.
The declassified Pentagon report concludes there was a "possible loss or compromise of classified information," when the Navy's EP-3 reconnaissance plane was struck by a Chinese F-8 jet and was forced to land on Chinese soil.
"The destruction of classified material was accomplished while the aircrew was probably still in shock from the aircraft collision and the subsequent rapid descent of the aircraft and with very little time prior to landing," the report said.
The report was first obtained by Jane's Defense Weekly under a Freedom of Information Act request. Portions of the report were deleted from the public version.
Adm. William Fallon, vice chair of Naval Operations, said no disciplinary action would be taken against the U.S. crew, saying the 24-person "aircrew performed well in dire circumstances."
The April 1, 2001 incident caused an international military and diplomatic crisis. The Chinese fighter had intercepted the large U.S. craft, which was conducting a low speed mission near the Chinese coast.
Officials in Beijing and Washington disagree on who was responsible for the collision, and whether the U.S. plane had ventured into Chinese airspace.
The Chinese pilot is believed to have died in the incident.
The EP-3 is designed to conduct reconnaissance and signals monitoring.
The crash caused damage to the U.S. aircraft, forcing a rapid descent and an emergency landing on nearby Hainan Island.
The crew was immediately detained and was held by Chinese authorities for 11 days.
The plane remained in Chinese hands and was later disassembled and taken off the island in pieces, and returned to the United States.
