The Pentagon said a Chinese fighter jet made several dangerously close passes at a U.S. Navy patrol aircraft over international air space in the South China Sea on Tuesday. The Chinese Shenyang J-11B Flanker B aircraft, with a full weapons load, flew within 20-feet of the Navy P-8A Poseidon Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) aircraft while conducting a routine surveillance mission.
The J-11B made a threatening maneuver when it made a barrel roll over the top of the P-8A. Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said the incident occurred on August 19 about 135 miles east of Hainan Island. Admiral Kirby said the Chinese fighter made three dangerously close passes near the larger Navy submarine-hunting aircraft and displayed its belly, which was fully-laden with weaponry. According to Kirby, the J-11B flew within 30 feet of the P-8A’s wingtips before concluding the encounter with a barrel roll over the top of the Navy aircraft.