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Breaking News

In Savannah, F-18 Landing Gear Collapses

Aired January 16, 2002 - 11:10   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right while listening to the secretary of state, we also had some breaking news taking place here in U.S. in Savannah, the crash, or emergency landing of an F-18. Let's bring in our Barbara Starr at the Pentagon to find out more about that.

Barbara, hello.

BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Yes, there is late-breaking word here at the Pentagon that a U.S. Navy F-18 which was attempting to land at Savannah International Airport, in Savannah, Georgia earlier this morning, apparently as it was attempting to land, the nose gear collapsed, the pilot apparently safely ejected from the plane. We don't know anything about his injuries. But the nose gear collapsed, and he had to eject from the plane. There are no reports about exactly what happened to the plane on the runway. We are not sure yet whether any type of fire broke out, or the extent to which the plane may have continued down the runway. We are attempting to get word about that, from the Navy.

This was an F-18 based at a naval reserve unit out of Atlanta, Georgia. We are told it was on routine training mission. We expect more information ahead -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right, Barbara, other developments besides the deal with this F-18, I understand it's possible body of the 7th Marine in that plane crash, the C-130 plane crash in Pakistan, has been found.

STARR: That's right. The recovery team at that site has now recovered red the remains of the 7th and final Marine that was killed in that KC-130 crash in Pakistan last week. His remains will also be brought back to United States, and the military is continuing on the official identification process of the remains, and returning them to their families.

KAGAN: And, Barbara, what can you tell us about the story out of Kandahar, it seems odd this man just walks up to the Kandahar Airport, and says he is a bigtime Al Qaeda financier and he wants to talk.

STARR: Well, that's right. Military officials are confirming that yesterday a man literally walked in the front gate apparently at Kandahar Airport, turned himself in. He said he was a member of the Taliban Council of Elders, and that he had worked as a financier, providing money to a number of organizations and causes supported by the Taliban and the Al Qaeda. He is being questioned. They say he is being held separately from the detainees, undergoing questioning, and they hope will be a bonanza of intelligence information as they question him more in days ahead, but that also is an unfolding story.

KAGAN: We'll cut you loose so you can find out more information about that. Barbara Starr full of information at the Pentagon, thank you very much.

STARR: Thank you, Daryn.

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