Hainan Island incident The damaged EP-3 on the ground on Hainan Island Date April 1, 2001 Location Hainan Island, People's Republic of China South China Sea Result American crew detained, later released; one Chinese J-8 pilot MIA and presumed dead Belligerents United States China Commanders and leaders George W Bush (U.S. President) Jiang Zemin (Chinese President) Strength 1 EP-3E signals intelligence aircraft 2 J-8IM aircraft Casualties and losses 1 EP-3E damaged and captured 24 aircrew captured and detained 1 J-8 destroyed 1 pilot missing, presumed dead