Russian Su-27 Performed An Unsafe Intercept On A U.S. EP-3E Aircraft. A Russian fighter jet intercepted a U.S. Navy plane in an “unsafe encounter” over the Black Sea, putting the plane’s pilot and crew at risk, the Navy said in a statement. The Navy posted a video of the incident on Monday.
During the 25-minute intercept, the Navy said the Russian SU-27 sped directly past the front of the aircraft. The Russian jet flew past it a second time, applying its afterburner while conducting a banking turn away. Passengers reported turbulence during the first pass and vibrations from the second.
#BREAKING: U.S. EP-3 intercepted in the #BlackSea by Russian SU-27 putting at risk pilots and crew. #USNavy aircraft was operating in accordance with international law and did not provoke this Russian activity. — https://t.co/7xWaf3vmgc pic.twitter.com/eFhQGutZhr
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) November 5, 2018
According to the U.S. Navy 6th Fleet, “this interaction was determined to be unsafe due to the SU-27 conducting a high speed pass directly in front of the mission aircraft, which put our pilots and crew at risk. The intercepting SU-27 made an additional pass, closing with the EP-3 and applying its afterburner while conducting a banking turn away. The crew of the EP-3 reported turbulence following the first interaction and vibrations from the second. The duration of the intercept was approximately 25 minutes.”
“While the Russian military is within its right to exercise within international airspace, this interaction was irresponsible. We expect them to behave within international standards set to ensure safety and to prevent incidents, including the 1972 Agreement for the Prevention of Incidents On and Over the High Seas (INCSEA). Unsafe actions increase the risk of miscalculation and potential for midair collisions.
The U.S. aircraft was operating in accordance with international law and did not provoke this Russian activity.”
Here’s the video. It’s not clear whether this is the closest one of the EP-3 intelligence gathering plane.
