Incident Overview
A Lockheed P2V-5 Neptune aircraft was operating a routine patrol mission over the Sea of Japan. At 1758 local time, the aircraft was flying on a magnetic course of 090 degrees over the high seas, with its position approximately 41 degrees 51 minutes north and 132 degrees 47 minutes east. The ground speed was about 180 knots, and the altitude was approximately 8,000 feet. At 1807 local time, the course was changed to 067 degrees magnetic.
Attack and Evasion
After flying the new course for about five minutes, at least two Soviet MiG fighter aircraft approached the Neptune from behind and opened fire. The pilot of the Neptune executed a sharp right turn and entered a steep dive at a descent rate of about 2,000 to 3,000 feet per minute, attempting to increase distance from the Soviet landmass and seek cover in a cloud bank approximately ten miles away. The MiG aircraft opened fire again. The Neptune continued its steep dive and performed evasive maneuvers to the right and left. The left wing was hit, and a fire erupted, spreading quickly through the wing to the fuselage.
Ditching and Rescue
When the Neptune descended to an altitude of 400 feet over water, the pilot determined it necessary to abandon the aircraft. The Neptune was landed on the sea and came to a complete stop within 50 to 70 yards after initial impact. Of the ten crew members on board, nine succeeded in exiting the aircraft and entering a survival raft carried aboard. The United States claimed that the point of the first attack was over the high seas southeast of Cape Ostrovnoi, near 42 degrees 22 minutes north and 134 degrees 11 minutes east, or further south and east, approximately 33 to 40 nautical miles from Soviet territory. All survivors were rescued by the crew of a USN SA-16 Albatross.