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Maritime Patrol Aircraft Shot Down Off Swatow Island (127744)

Nan'ao Island (Swatow Island), ChinaFlight

On January 18, 1953, a Lockheed P-2 Neptune (registration 127744) operated by United States Navy - USN was involved in an aviation accident near Nan'ao Island (Swatow Island), China in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Shot down by the pilot of a Chinese fighter. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A maritime patrol aircraft was shot down by a Chinese Air Force fighter pilot and crashed into the sea off Swatow Island. All 11 crew members were evacuated and transferred to the USS Halsey Powell.

Incident Overview During a maritime patrol flight, an aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a Chinese Air Force fighter. The aircraft crashed into the sea off Swatow Island and was lost. All 11 crew members were evacuated and transferred to the USS Halsey Powell. ## Official Findings The official probable cause was determined to be that the aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a Chinese fighter. No additional details regarding the aircraft type, registration, date, operator, or specific location beyond the source were provided in the official findings. ## Crew and Recovery All 11 crew members were successfully evacuated from the crash site and transferred to the USS Halsey Powell. The source does not provide further information on the condition of the crew or the specific circumstances of the evacuation.

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