Narrative:
The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) acquired seven Neptunes in 1954 and configured them with cameras and electronics intelligence gear. Five of those were stationed in Taiwan and operated by the Republic of China Air Force.
They were reportedly used to conduct intrusion ELINT missions over mainland China, dropping and supplying agents, and dropping propaganda leaflets. Missions were usually flown at night.
The Neptune crashed into a hill near Kunsan, South Korea, during a low level ferry flight from Hsinchu, Taiwan to staging area in Kunsan, South Korea.
» The Growth of Chinas Air Defenses: Responding to Covert Overflights, 19491974 / Bob Bergin
» USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers--1908 to Present / Joe Baugher
| Status: | |
| Date: | Friday 25 March 1960 |
| Type: |  Lockheed RB-69A Neptune |
| Operator: | Republic of China Air Force - ROCAF |
| Registration: | 54-4040 |
| MSN: | 726-7101 |
| First flight: | |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 14 / Occupants: 14 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 14 / Occupants: 14 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | near Kunsan ( South Korea)
|
| Phase: | Unknown (UNK) |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Hsinchu Airport (HSZ/RCPO), Taiwan |
| Gunsan (Kunsan) Airport (KUV/RKJK), South Korea |
The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) acquired seven Neptunes in 1954 and configured them with cameras and electronics intelligence gear. Five of those were stationed in Taiwan and operated by the Republic of China Air Force.
They were reportedly used to conduct intrusion ELINT missions over mainland China, dropping and supplying agents, and dropping propaganda leaflets. Missions were usually flown at night.
The Neptune crashed into a hill near Kunsan, South Korea, during a low level ferry flight from Hsinchu, Taiwan to staging area in Kunsan, South Korea.
Sources:
» Intrusions, Overflights, Shootdowns and Defections During the Cold War and Thereafter» The Growth of Chinas Air Defenses: Responding to Covert Overflights, 19491974 / Bob Bergin
» USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers--1908 to Present / Joe Baugher
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Hsinchu Airport to Gunsan (Kunsan) Airport as the crow flies is 1339 km (837 miles).
Distance from Hsinchu Airport to Gunsan (Kunsan) Airport as the crow flies is 1339 km (837 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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