Pentagon probes Chinese intercept of US spy plane

The Pentagon is reviewing a report that a Chinese aircraft intercepted a U.S. spy plane earlier this month. 

Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said Tuesday that the incident happened on Sept. 15 over the Yellow Sea, approximately 80 miles east of the Shandong Peninsula. 

“One of the maneuvers conducted by the Chinese aircraft during this intercept was perceived as unsafe by the RC-135 air crew,” Cook said. 

{mosads}Cook said the U.S. pilot reported that he felt that the aircraft “passed in front of his nose in an unsafe fashion.” 

“At this point, right now, there’s no indication this was a near collision, but the report that came back was that the plane operated in an unsafe fashion,” he added. “There’s been no further determination at that time. It’s still under review.” 

Senate Armed Services Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) said the incident, coming ahead of the Chinese president’s visit to the U.S., raises questions about that country’s intentions. 

“Yet another dangerous Chinese intercept of a U.S. aircraft last week shows that China feels emboldened to continue its pattern of aggressive behavior in the Asia-Pacific region,” McCain said. 

“That this flight came amid negotiations of rules for air-to-air encounters and just one week ahead of President Xi’s arrival in the United States raises further questions about China’s intentions and the Obama Administration’s response thus far.”