English: A Japanese Mitsubishi A6M2 Reisen (Allied code "Zeke" or "Zero") on a barge in Alaska (USA), on 8 August 1942. On 4 June 1942 a Japanese task force launched a strike against Dutch Harbor, Alaska (USA), from the aircraft carriers Ryujo and Junyo. Petty Officer Tadayoshi Koga was flying an A6M2 from the Ryujo. After attacking Dutch Harbor Koga realised he was losing engine oil. One round had nicked a line to the oil cooler and his engine would soon overheat and seize. Escorted by two other Zeros he headed for an emergency landing in a flat meadow on the island which had been designated as an emergency landing area. However, what Koga didn't realise until too late was the meadow was partially covered in water. After touchdown the plane flipped on its back and Koga was either killed on impact or knocked unconscious with his head partially submerged in water. The A6M2 itself was only slightly damaged.

The pilots of the escorting Zeros were under orders to destroy any downed A6M, however not knowing whether Koga was still alive they decided to leave the aircraft intact. They believed Koga would escape the aircraft then destroy it, before walking to the coast to be picked up by a Japanese submarine that had been positioned off shore as a rescue vessel.

Five weeks later an American PBY overflying the island spotted the aircraft and a day later a ground party was sent from Dutch Harbor to investigate the wreck. The A6M2 was salvaged and shipped back to the USA where is was repaired and went through an exhaustive series of tests in order to gain information about its strengths and weaknesses.