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→Further reading: rm assassination cats per WP:CATV: nothing in the article supports that this was an attempted assassination, and several of the cited sources/external links explicitly deny that Corder intended to kill Clinton
 
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{{short description|American truck driver and failed assassin (1956–1994)}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Frank Eugene Corder
| name = Frank Eugene Corder
| birth_date = May 26, 1956
| birth_date = May 26, 1956
| birth_place = [[Perry Point, Maryland|Perry Point]], [[Maryland]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Perry Point, Maryland]], U.S.
| death_date = September 12, 1994 (aged 38)
| death_date = September 12, 1994 (aged 38)
| death_place = [[White House]], [[South Lawn (White House)|South Lawn]], [[Washington, D.C.]], U.S.
| death_place = [[White House]], [[South Lawn (White House)|South Lawn]], [[Washington, D.C.]], U.S.
| death_cause = [[Suicide by pilot|Suicide by plane crash]]
| death_cause = [[Suicide by pilot|Suicide by plane crash]]
| occupation = Former [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] soldier<br>[[Truck driver]]
| occupation = Former [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] soldier<br/>[[Truck driver]]
⚫
| known_for = Crashing a plane into the White House lawn
| nationality = American
⚫
| known_for = crashing a plane into white house
}}
}}
⚫
'''Frank Eugene Corder''' (May 26, 1956 &ndash; September 12, 1994) was an American truck driver. He stole a [[Cessna 150]] late on September 11, 1994, and crashed the stolen aircraft onto the [[South Lawn (White House)|South Lawn]] of the [[White House]] early on September 12, 1994, while attempting to land the plane; he was killed, and was the sole casualty.
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Frank corder.jpg|thumb|Frank Eugene Corder]] -->
⚫
'''Frank Eugene Corder''' (May 26, 1956 &ndash; September 12, 1994) was an American truck driver. He stole a [[Cessna 150]] late on September 11, 1994 and crashed the stolen aircraft onto the [[South Lawn (White House)|South Lawn]] of the [[White House]] early on September 12, 1994, attempting to land the plane on the south lawn of the White House ; he was killed, and was the sole casualty.


==Early life and education==
==Background==
Corder was born in [[Perry Point, Maryland]], the son of William Eugene Corder, who was an aircraft mechanic,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/13/us/crash-at-the-white-house-the-pilot-friends-depict-loner-with-unraveling-life.html | work=The New York Times | first=Robert | last=Pear | title=CRASH AT THE WHITE HOUSE: THE PILOT; Friends Depict Loner With Unraveling Life | date=September 13, 1994}}</ref> and Dorothy Corder. He dropped out of [[Aberdeen High School (Aberdeen, Maryland)|Aberdeen High School]] in the eleventh grade and enlisted in the [[U. S. Army|Army]] in October 1974. Corder was stationed at [[Fort Knox, Kentucky]] and [[Fort Carson, Colorado]], where he was trained as a mechanic. He was [[honorably discharged]] from military service in July 1975 at the rank of [[private first class]]. After his service ended, he worked as a truck driver from 1976 until his employment was terminated in early 1993.
Corder was born in [[Perry Point, Maryland]], the son of William Eugene Corder, who was an aircraft mechanic at [[Aberdeen Proving Ground#Edgewood_Arsenal|Edgewood Arsenal]],<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/13/us/crash-at-the-white-house-the-pilot-friends-depict-loner-with-unraveling-life.html | work=The New York Times | first=Robert | last=Pear | title=CRASH AT THE WHITE HOUSE: THE PILOT; Friends Depict Loner With Unraveling Life | date=September 13, 1994 | access-date=February 8, 2017 | archive-date=April 2, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402172546/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/13/us/crash-at-the-white-house-the-pilot-friends-depict-loner-with-unraveling-life.html | url-status=live }}</ref> and Dorothy Corder. He dropped out of [[Aberdeen High School (Aberdeen, Maryland)|Aberdeen High School]] in 11th grade and enlisted in the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] in October 1974.


==Career==
⚫
On April 15, 1993, Corder was arrested for theft and was arrested again later that year on October 9 for drug dealing. He was sentenced to spend 90 days at a drug rehabilitation center and was released in February 1994. After he was released, he was living with his third wife Lydia at Keyser's Motel in [[Aberdeen, Maryland]]. Lydia Corder left Frank three weeks prior to the incident, which is thought to have driven him towards deep [[clinical depression|depression]] and [[suicide]]. Friends claim he bore no ill will towards [[President of the United States|President]] [[Bill Clinton]] and probably only wanted the publicity of the stunt, based largely on his sentiments towards [[Mathias Rust]]'s flight of a [[Cessna 172]] from Finland to Moscow, USSR. The President was not even in the mansion at the time due to renovations, but was instead staying at [[Blair House]].
Corder was stationed at [[Fort Knox, Kentucky]] and [[Fort Carson, Colorado]], where he was trained as a mechanic.<ref name="nytimes"/> He was [[honorably discharged]] from military service in July 1975 at the rank of [[private first class]].<ref name="nytimes"/> After his service ended, he worked as a truck driver from 1976 until his employment was terminated in early 1993.

⚫
On April 15, 1993, Corder was arrested for theft and was arrested again later that year on October 9 for drug dealing. He was sentenced to spend 90 days at a drug rehabilitation center and was released in February 1994.<ref name="nytimes"/>{{citation needed |date=July 2021 |reason=specificity}} After he was released, he was living with his third wife Lydia at Keyser's Motel in [[Aberdeen, Maryland]]. Lydia Corder left Frank three weeks prior to the incident, which is thought to have driven him towards deep [[clinical depression|depression]] and [[suicide]].<ref name="nytimes"/> Friends claim he bore no ill will towards then [[President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[Bill Clinton]] and probably only wanted the publicity of the stunt, based largely on his sentiments towards [[Mathias Rust]]'s flight of a [[Cessna 172]] from [[Finland]] to [[Moscow]], Soviet Union. The President was not in the White House at the time due to renovations, but was instead staying at [[Blair House]].


==Incident==
==Incident==
⚫
On the evening of September 11, 1994, Corder stole the Cessna and departed from [[Harford County Airport]] in [[Churchville, Maryland]]<ref name="nytimes"/> while severely intoxicated. The plane was noticed by radar technicians at [[Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport]] several minutes before he tried to steer it into the wall of the [[White House]]. At 1:49&nbsp;a.m., he hit the [[South Lawn]] and was killed on impact.
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:008 frank corder cessna.jpg|thumb|right|225px|The crashed Cessna]] -->
⚫
Corder stole the Cessna on the night of September 11 and departed from Aldino Airport in [[Maryland]] while 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&nbsp;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 is rumored to be equipped with [[surface-to-air missile]]s, none were fired. The Secret Service has neither confirmed nor dispelled the rumor.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9501E1D6173BF930A2575AC0A962958260 |title=CRASH AT THE WHITE HOUSE: THE DEFENSES; Pilot's Exploit Rattles White House Officials - New York Times |publisher=Query.nytimes.com |author=Stephen Labaton |date=September 13, 1994 |accessdate=2008-09-08}}</ref>
The crash caused a reevaluation in security procedures around the White House, as the pilot had entered [[restricted airspace]]. Though the White House is rumored to be equipped with [[surface-to-air missile]]s, none were fired; the Secret Service has neither confirmed nor dispelled the rumor;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9501E1D6173BF930A2575AC0A962958260 |title=CRASH AT THE WHITE HOUSE: THE DEFENSES; Pilot's Exploit Rattles White House Officials - New York Times |publisher=[[The New York Times]] |last=Labaton |first=Stephen |date=September 13, 1994 |accessdate=2008-09-08 |archive-date=2021-07-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704171604/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/13/us/crash-white-house-defenses-pilot-s-exploit-rattles-white-house-officials.html |url-status=live }}</ref> however, in 2019 a [[CBS]] reporter spotted a [[Artillery battery|battery]] on the roof of a building across the street.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a30027303/washington-dc-air-alert/ |title=Yesterday's Washington D.C. Air Alert Revealed a Secret Missile Battery |last=Mizokami |first=Kyle |date=2019-11-27 |publisher=[[Popular Mechanics]] |access-date=2023-07-22}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Samuel Byck]]
*[[Samuel Byck]]
*[[Francisco Martin Duran]]
*[[Francisco Martin Duran]]
*[[White House intruders]]
*[[List of White House security breaches]]
*[[United Airlines Flight 93]] - Hijackers tried to take over the flight during the [[September 11 attacks]], with a destination of either the White House or the US Capitol. However the passengers and crew tried to take back control and during the ensuing struggle the plane crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania
*[[United Airlines Flight 93]] - Hijackers tried to take over the flight during the [[September 11 attacks]], with a destination of either the White House or the US Capitol. However the passengers and crew tried to take back control and during the ensuing struggle the plane crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania
{{Portal|Biography}}
{{Portal|Biography}}
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==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*[http://prop1.org/park/pave/rev6.htm Summary statement of facts on the September 12, 1994 plane crash]
*[http://prop1.org/park/pave/rev6.htm Summary statement of facts on the September 12, 1994 plane crash]
*[http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/ustreas/usss/t1pubrpt.html Public report of the White House Security Review]
*[http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/ustreas/usss/t1pubrpt.html Public report of the White House Security Review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923173741/http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/ustreas/usss/t1pubrpt.html |date=2006-09-23 }}
* Pear, Robert. [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9900E4DA143BF930A2575AC0A962958260&sec=health&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink "Friends Depict Loner with Unraveling Life."] ''New York Times'', September 13, 1994.
* Pear, Robert. [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9900E4DA143BF930A2575AC0A962958260&sec=health&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink "Friends Depict Loner with Unraveling Life."] ''New York Times'', September 13, 1994.

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Corder, Frank Eugene}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Corder, Frank Eugene}}
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:1956 births]]
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[[Category:1994 suicides]]
[[Category:1994 deaths]]
[[Category:1994 deaths]]
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[[Category:1994 crimes in the United States]]
[[Category:Attacks in the United States in 1994]]
[[Category:Attacks in the United States in 1994]]
[[Category:White House intruders]]
[[Category:White House intruders]]
[[Category:Criminals who committed suicide]]
[[Category:Failed assassins of Presidents of the United States]]
[[Category:United States Army soldiers]]
[[Category:United States Army soldiers]]
[[Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in the United States in 1994]]
[[Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in the United States in 1994]]
[[Category:Aviators killed in aviation accidents or incidents in the United States]]
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[[Category:September 1994 crimes in the United States]]
[[Category:Suicides in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:Suicides in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:American failed assassins]]
[[Category:1994 in the United States]]
[[Category:1994 in the United States]]
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[[Category:Male suicides]]
[[Category:1994 in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:1994 in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:People from Cecil County, Maryland]]
[[Category:People from Cecil County, Maryland]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Maryland]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Maryland]]
[[Category:20th-century American politicians]]
[[Category:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery]]
[[Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1994]]

Latest revision as of 13:27, 20 June 2024

Frank Eugene Corder
BornMay 26, 1956
Perry Point, Maryland, U.S.
DiedSeptember 12, 1994 (aged 38)
White House, South Lawn, Washington, D.C., U.S.
Cause of deathSuicide by plane crash
Occupation(s)Former U.S. Army soldier
Truck driver
Known forCrashing a plane into the White House lawn

Frank Eugene Corder (May 26, 1956 – September 12, 1994) was an American truck driver. He stole a Cessna 150 late on September 11, 1994, and crashed the stolen aircraft onto the South Lawn of the White House early on September 12, 1994, while attempting to land the plane; he was killed, and was the sole casualty.

Early life and education

[edit]

Corder was born in Perry Point, Maryland, the son of William Eugene Corder, who was an aircraft mechanic at Edgewood Arsenal,[1] and Dorothy Corder. He dropped out of Aberdeen High School in 11th grade and enlisted in the U.S. Army in October 1974.

Career

[edit]

Corder was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky and Fort Carson, Colorado, where he was trained as a mechanic.[1] He was honorably discharged from military service in July 1975 at the rank of private first class.[1] After his service ended, he worked as a truck driver from 1976 until his employment was terminated in early 1993.

On April 15, 1993, Corder was arrested for theft and was arrested again later that year on October 9 for drug dealing. He was sentenced to spend 90 days at a drug rehabilitation center and was released in February 1994.[1][citation needed] After he was released, he was living with his third wife Lydia at Keyser's Motel in Aberdeen, Maryland. Lydia Corder left Frank three weeks prior to the incident, which is thought to have driven him towards deep depression and suicide.[1] Friends claim he bore no ill will towards then U.S. President Bill Clinton and probably only wanted the publicity of the stunt, based largely on his sentiments towards Mathias Rust's flight of a Cessna 172 from Finland to Moscow, Soviet Union. The President was not in the White House at the time due to renovations, but was instead staying at Blair House.

Incident

[edit]

On the evening of September 11, 1994, Corder stole the Cessna and departed from Harford County Airport in Churchville, Maryland[1] while severely intoxicated. The plane was noticed by radar technicians at Ronald Reagan Washington 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 was killed on impact.

The crash caused a reevaluation in security procedures around the White House, as the pilot had entered restricted airspace. Though the White House is rumored to be equipped with surface-to-air missiles, none were fired; the Secret Service has neither confirmed nor dispelled the rumor;[2] however, in 2019 a CBS reporter spotted a battery on the roof of a building across the street.[3]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f Pear, Robert (September 13, 1994). "CRASH AT THE WHITE HOUSE: THE PILOT; Friends Depict Loner With Unraveling Life". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  2. ^ Labaton, Stephen (September 13, 1994). "CRASH AT THE WHITE HOUSE: THE DEFENSES; Pilot's Exploit Rattles White House Officials - New York Times". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2021-07-04. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
  3. ^ Mizokami, Kyle (2019-11-27). "Yesterday's Washington D.C. Air Alert Revealed a Secret Missile Battery". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 2023-07-22.

Further reading

[edit]
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