Incident Overview
While cruising over the China Sea en route from Bangkok to Hong Kong, a Cathay Pacific aircraft was attacked and shot down by two Chinese Air Force Lavochkin La-7 fighters. Both engines number one and four caught fire following the attack. The radio operator declared an emergency to air traffic control based at Hong Kong-Kai Tak Airport. The pilot decided to reduce altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing.
Descent and Ditching
As the aircraft descended to an altitude of 2,000 feet, the right aileron was sheared off. The captain elected to ditch the aircraft, which eventually crashed into the sea off the city of Sanya, on the south coast of Hainan Island.
Search and Rescue
Two United States Air Force Douglas AD-4 Skyraider aircraft were dispatched to locate the crash site, but both were also attacked by the Chinese fighters. Later, a United States Navy Albatross was able to land in the area. Eight people—two crew members and six passengers—were rescued. Ten other occupants were killed, and the aircraft sank and was lost.
Aftermath and Findings
The official probable cause was that the aircraft was shot down by Chinese fighters. The reason for the occurrence remained unclear, but later Cathay Pacific received an apology and compensation from the People's Liberation Army Air Force. Apparently, the fighter pilots mistook the Cathay aircraft for a Nationalist Chinese military airplane.