Screws loose, i guess, never really knew it until now. Thinking if i land successfully, alaska will give me a job as a pilot . I think they would give you a Job Doing Anything if you can pull this off. Yeah, right. Can this thing do a back flip you think . Try to do a barrel roll. If that goes good, ill go nose down, call it a night. Lets try and land the airplane safely and not hurt anyone on the ground. All right, man, damn it. I dont know, man, i dont know. I dont want to. I was hoping that was going to be it, you know . Cnns aviation and government regulation correspondent rene marsh joins us, working this story all morning with her sources, chilling to listen to that audio, so calmly the man talking to air Traffic Control. What do we know about this man and his level of access . We know he is a 29yearold,
after the plane took off and took off from the airport, witnesses saw it flying erratically. Tell us what did you see when this airplane was up in the air . My wife and i were in the back alley. We live in eatonville, about 60 miles south of seattle. My wife looked at me. S she knew about the airplane, whats up with that. I said thats a q 400. That should not even be in this area at all. And she started shooting video. I said get video. Theres possibly 75 people or more on the plane. We have a small Municipal Airport in town, not big enough for one of those planes. So it was literally like 300 feet off the ground. And heading south, straight in
line with the main drag here. It started to turn and go towards mount rainier, looked like it was going down, he pulled it back up. Looked like he was going to circle around to land at our airport. I told my wife, grab my keys and wallet, i am heading to the wallet. I had phone in hand, heading to the airport, he turned north towards jblm. At this time there were no Fietder Jefiet fighter jets. Not knowing the situation, i was concerned about 75 people could be on that plane. Incredible. We later learn he was the only person on board the plane, thankfully was the case in this situation. I want to talk to you about your background as Ground Service agent. You dont need to talk specifically about the individual on the plane, but from your perspective, what kind of access would an employee have
for as long as you did, could you have dreamed up a scenario like this . It seems almost impossible. No. I would have never thought anything like this would ever happen ever. Talk to me a little about the type of Security Screening you have to go through before you can be hired for a job like this. Obviously horizon, horizon has their security process, all airlines have a security process. The airport has their processes they follow. Theres cameras, i mean, youre monitored the whole time when youre there. How this guy was able to get the plane off the ground is astonishing. Were all going to be looking at this. It is a learning lesson. Thank god nobody was injured except for him. Learning lesson. This has to be a learning lesson. I dont know what the lesson is,
i dont know how theyre the professionals. But they do an amazing job. Weve mazing workers. We have amazing workers. These workers, they work great, theyre all about getting passengers safely on and off. You know, i dont know the answer to that. You know, if this is just a one off, and hopefully they can get the answer why he did this. All right. Nick junka, i appreciate your perspective. Were thankful for the fact this person didnt appear to be inclined to hurt anyone other than himself, a tragic situation. There will be a ton of questions about what happened and how it could change protocols going forward. Nick, thank you for your perspective. We appreciate it. Were going to continue to follow that breaking story. We have more Breaking News this
morning. Indicted new york congressman Chris Collins has announced he is suspending his campaign for reelection. The republican representative was charged this week with insider trading. Cnn White House ReporterSarah Westwood i believe is following the latest developments, it is actually athena jones. Im sorry. You have been following the latest on Chris Collins. Tell us what do we know at this point . Hi, ryan. Were just learning in the last hour or so that representative collins is going to be stepping aside. This comes a few days after he vowed that he would fight these charges, he would continue to work for the citizens of his district. Reliably red district. This is part of the statement. After extensive discussions with family and friends the last few days, i decided it is in the best interest of the constituents of new york 27, the republican party, and President Trumps agenda for me to suspend my campaign for reelection to
fight charges he calls meritless. Now that he is stepping aside, it is not entirely clear what happens to that race outside buffalo. Thats a reliably red district. It is difficult to remove a nominees name from the ballot in new york, according to new york board of elections because of various reasons. It is not clear what is going to happen with that seat. Collins was the first member of congress to endorse President Trump. We have not heard any response from the president on the latest news. Thank you for that update. Chris collins not seeking reelection after being indicted. Athena, appreciate that report. Still to come, charlottesville, virginia on edge, one year after White Nationalists clash with Counter Protesters. Today, the president is condemning racism and calling for calm as the White Supremacists plan for a rally outside the white house this weekend. A live report is koj up. Coming up. With an ingredient originally discovered. In jellyfish. In clinical trials, prevagen has been shown to improve shortterm memory. Prevagen. Healthier brain. Better life. Our new, hot, fresh breakfast will get you the readiest. buzzer sound holiday inn express. Be the readiest. Tell your doctor if you were in a region where fungal infections are common and if you have had tb, hepatitis b or c, or are prone to infections. Dont let another morning go by without talking to your rheumatologist about xeljanz xr. Now im gonna tell my momma that im a traveller im Gonna Follow The Sun now im gonna tell my momma that im a traveller transitions™ light under control™
we continue to follow Breaking News out of seattle where an Airline Blou Ee took a plane employee took a plane. The 29yearold Ground Service agent then crashed the plane in a wooded area south of seattle. He died in that crash. Were watching the investigation for any developments and will discuss the Security Risks at pl play in a bit. Charlottesville, virginia on edge one year after a White Nationalist rally turned violent and deadly. President trump is calling for calm, tweeting the riots in charlottesville a year ago resulted in senseless death and division. We must come together as a nation. I condemn all types of racism and acts of violence. Peace to all americans. A State Of Emergency is in effect in virginia. Law enforcement is taking no
chances after being criticized last year for not being prepared. Police are already patrolling. Multiple events are planned, aimed at bringing the community closer together. Today, the University Held a morning of reflection in honor of victims of last years violence, and the University President talked about the ways the community can move forward. The fact that nothing can bring back the splendor and glory of those whose lives were lost last august, but we can still despite our grief find strength in what remains behind and we can still have hope, which is what summons us here this morning. Cnns Kaylee Hartung looks at the protest last year and how Community Leaders are vowing to not let history repeat itself. Clashes erupted between protesters. Terror in virginia. One person is dead. One year later, a new team of officials are vowing not to let history repeat itself. We have to own that we did not live up to our training, our oath, but we have the opportunity to recover and get it right. After a sharply critical report placed blame on the Charlottesville Police department for its failure to contain the violence and protect the public. This is not a Law Enforcement event, this is a Public Safety endeavor. Chief al thomas retired. I walked into this position. I walked in in some ways with my eyes wide open but i didnt realize probably the extent and the breadth and width of what that responsibility would be because i had not really had the opportunity to hear how hurt this community was and still hadnt healed. Reporter the first images of
hate america saw in charlottesville came from here. The night before the planned and permitted alt right rally, they marched on the University Of Virginia campus with tiki torches. The visual was startling. But that wasnt the worst wed see. The next morning, violence in this intersection as police looked on just outside the park where robert e. Lees statue stands. Socalled Alt Right Activists chanting racist slogans, carrying guns and confederate flags clashed with antiprotesters. This street where he barreled his car into Counter Protesters remains a memorial to heather heyer. The driver will be tried for murder and federal hate crimes. There was anger and outrage in reaction to the rhetoric openly
on display here. I have a message to all the White Supremists and nazis that came into charlottesville today. Our message is plain and simple. Go home. You are not wanted in this great commonwealth. Shame on you. Reporter then. Very fine people on both sides. Reporter President Trumps refuse will to condemn the refusal to condemn the racist attack and the immediate aftermath further inflamed the national conversation. When you think about the flashpoint that charlottesville was in this country for the dialogue around race relations, where do you think we are one year later . So i dont know if we as a city or even as a nation have had that real honest dialogue about equities in terms of really moving the needle forward. Im not sure that weve actually instituted policies, procedures or even support that could help move the conversation beyond the conversation. Reporter so the conversation continues this weekend as the second Unite The Right rally organizes in the nations capital. In charlottesville, the focus will be on continued healing. The chief says the city has an all encompassing plan for whatever or whoever the weekend may bring. Despite President Trumps tweet this morning, many here in this community feel the president has done irreparable damage, namely the charlottesville mayor was among the activists here in these streets a year ago, before she was mayor, trying to protect the city from White Nationalists marching into it. She says the president s rhetoric, she calls hate, continues to cause turmoil for this community. Td concern i hear from the concern i hear from members of the community, despite 1200 personnel here to support the
city in Law Enforcement capacity, people are concerned for the lone wolf, like the driver that plowed a car into a group of Counter Protesters. Thats what they fear. They dont expect another siege by White Nationalists. Ryan, tonight many students from uva and members will gather at the rotunda at uva, the same where the White Nationalists brought Tiki Torches A year ago. They say it is a time to reclaim grounds and get support from University Of Virginia. Kaylee hartung where things are quiet. Hope it stays that way. Joining me to discuss this, congressman tom garrett, republican representative from virginia, he represents the charlottesville area. Congressman, thank you so much for joining me. You obviously were very strong in condemnation of the racist actors at the rally in charlottesville last year. I want to get your reaction to President Trumps tweet this morning. Last year he was heavily criticized for saying, quote,
there were very fine people on both sides of last years event. This year, he is condemning all types of racism. What has changed from the president s perspective . He should have been heavily criticized last year. He totally blew that for lack of a more artful term. What he did do last year, a week later there was an attempt at a horrific rally in boston, and he got it right the second time. But i cant defend his statements, im not here to do that. Im glad with the tone he struck this morning. You know, everybody is going to choose inartful words from time to time. I was disappointed in his characterization of people involved in the violence last year. What about his conduct overall in the past year, he has been embroiled in several high profile polarizing debates on race relation after taking office, renewing a fight with nfl players for National Anthem protests, fighting with other professional athletes, should he
be doing more to bridge the racial divide which is what he appears to be doing with this tweet . Well, again i cant sort of step inside the mind of the president. I think he has done some impressive things. I think some of the data africanamerican Real Earnings and unemployment at historic lows, latino, et cetera, fly in the face of some of the rhetoric where you hear whatever he said, great people on both sides. I dont know why he has decided to sort of take an issue with the expression of individuals in the nfl. I think that weve all been blessed to live in a great but flawed nation, certainly disagree with their decisions, but respect them and their right to make their decisions. Im not the president. I cant channel him. I would do a lot of things differently. What we need to do is i think look at outcomes and less at rhetoric and then, ryan, truly focus on those things which unite us while acknowledging things divide us, and listen
respectfully without hate and attacks against people on both sides. Shameful and unamerican lets talk about charlottesville, the area you represent in congress. What things are like a year later. Have you been in contact with police how they plan to maintain piece on the anniversary, are you satisfied that order will be maintained this time around . Look, to be completely honest, i was exceedingly shocked when it devolved into violence it did last year. But im optimistic we wont have replays. Theres all sorts of criticism, and you want to study when things went wrong. I wouldnt lay all the blame the at the feet of Law Enforcement. There were people setting guidelines how to act and react. Having said that, lets look at the root cause, and thats hate mongers and people that want to watch it burn. I dont even want to use names of these individuals publicly
because it throws proverbial gasoline on the flames. The reality is in this countries we have differences and divisions but people that throw newspaper boxes at each other and hit each other with sticks are in such a tiny minority on the fringe on either side that most of us never met them and dont know them, thats because there arent many of them, praise god. Lets not give them a megaphone. This is news that needs to be reported on, but lets not make it more than it should be. It is damaging. We should be able to disagree without being disagreeable. The right group is planning another rally tomorrow, next to the white house. Are you concerned about a similar level of violence breaking out tomorrow as Counter Protesters are expected there as well . Well, let me take a brief moment to take exception with their nomenclature, Unite The Right. National socialism is socialism which isnt right. These people are cowards, they
behind behind park police and Law Enforcement, they engage in rhetoric that any reasonable person would know would incite fear, anger, animosity on purpose. After the march in may last year, you can tell me this is your First Amendment right, but when you carry torches, wearing all white at night next to a confederate statue, we have a failed middle School History or something else. These people are cowards, not indicative of who we are as a nation, should be uniformly condemned. Theyll behind and Law Enforcement will get it right, but shine the light of attention on them. Again, news that needs to be reported. Almost threatens to give them more oxygen than theyre worth. And i do, congressman, while i have you here, would like your reaction to news your fellow colleague Chris Collins is suspending a reelection campaign. Youre also not running for reelection. Are you concerned about your fellow republicans in that they
could lose the House Of Representatives in november . I mean certainly anything is a reality, candidly, ryan, listen to this from people on the right when they