White House Security Breach: Investigation Ordered After Pilot Crashes Plane on South Lawn

A critical security breach occurred in the early hours of Monday, September 12, when a single-engine plane piloted by 38-year-old Frank Corder crashed onto the south lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C. Corder, who had a history of mental problems and a criminal record, died in the crash, which prompted an extensive review of the procedures used to protect the president and his family. The incident has raised concerns about the adequacy of White House security and has led to a full-scale investigation into how Corder was able to penetrate restricted air space and crash the plane onto the lawn.

Key Takeaways:

• The pilot, Frank Corder, had a history of mental problems and a criminal record, including treatment for alcoholism at a Veteran's Administration center in Harford County, Maryland.
• Corder stole a Cessna 150 airplane from the Churchville-Harford County Airport in northern Maryland and flew it into restricted air space over the White House, despite being spotted by security personnel at the last minute.
• The crash occurred at 1:49 a.m. EDT, with the pilot dying in the impact. The president and his family were awakened and safe in the Blair House, a presidential guest house across the street from the White House.
• The Secret Service and FBI are leading the investigation, which will examine how Corder was able to breach White House security and what measures can be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
• The incident has led to a 90-day review of security procedures for the president and his family, led by Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen.
• The White House has increased security measures in the wake of the incident, with the main streets around the White House closed off to the public.

Statistics:

• 38 years old: The age of Frank Corder, the pilot who crashed the plane onto the south lawn of the White House.
• 1:49 a.m. EDT: The time the plane crashed onto the White House lawn.
• 90 days: The duration of the review of security procedures for the president and his family.
• 100: The number of police officers, firefighters, Secret Service agents, and investigators from the FBI, Federal Aviation Administration, and National Transportation Safety Board who spent the morning examining the crash site.

Sources:

• A article from the Washington Post, September 13, 1993.
• A news release from the White House, September 13, 1993.
• An interview with Frank Corder's family, as quoted in the article.