Frank Eugene Corder

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Frank Eugene Corder (May 26, 1956–September 12, 1994) crashed a stolen Cessna 150 onto the South Lawn of the White House early on September 12, 1994, apparently trying to hit the building; he was the sole casualty.

An unemployed truck driver and honorably discharged U.S. Army veteran from Perry Point, Maryland, Corder had lost his wife to cancer several weeks prior to the incident, which is thought to have driven him towards suicide. Friends claim he bore no ill will towards President Bill Clinton and likely only wanted the publicity of the stunt. The President was not even in the mansion at the time due to renovations, but was instead staying at Blair House.

He stole the Cessna on the night of September 11 and departed from Aldino Airport in Maryland severely intoxicated, which is presumed to have led to his later miscalculation. The plane was noticed by radar technicians at National Airport several minutes before he tried to steer it into the wall of the White House. At 1:49 a.m., he hit the South Lawn and died on impact.

The crash caused a re-evaluation in security procedures around the White House, as the pilot had entered restricted airspace. Though the White House was reportedly equipped with surface-to-air missiles, none were fired.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

• Summary statement of facts on the September 12, 1994 plane crash
• Public report of the White House Security Review
• Pear, Robert. "Friends Depict Loner with Unraveling Life." New York Times, 13 September 1994.