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Missing U.S. Helicopter Found in Nepal; Deadly Amtrak Derailment: Train Sped Up Before Curve; Blues Icon B.B. King Dies. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired May 15, 2015 - 04:30   ET

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

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news this morning: A U.S. military helicopter carrying marines missing after Nepal's devastating earthquake has been found. We are live with the details.

Dramatically gaining speed at it approached that curve.

[04:30:01] Mounting questions this morning into the deadly Amtrak derailment.

And brand new this morning, the death of a blues legend. B.B. King dead at the age of 89. The legacy he leaves behind, ahead.

Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans. Thirty minutes past the hour this morning.

Breaking news: a U.S. Marine helicopter missing earlier this week has been found crashed in the mountains of Nepal. A top ranking officer with Nepal says the chopper was located on a mountain side east of Kathmandu. At least three bodies have been located in that wreckage. Six U.S. marines were on that chopper, helping with the earthquake relief efforts when radio contact was lost.

I want to bring in CNN's Will Ripley. He's live from Kathmandu. He's following this.

First of all, tell us who was aboard the helicopter and what are they doing now to assess just the scope of the damage if there are any survivors.

WILL RIPLEY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Eight people board the helicopter, Christine. Six U.S. marines based in Camp Pendleton in California and then two Nepali soldiers based right here in Kathmandu. All of them working, as have many countries, working to try to provide humanitarian aid to the tens of thousands of people in the Himalayas, in the hardest hit regions from the two major earthquakes that have struck this country and flattened entire communities.

They were delivering that aid when they lost contact as you mentioned, in an area known was Dolakha, which is one of the hardest hit regions. And that is where this helicopter has been found, about 21 miles east of where I'm standing right now. The helicopter was on a supply mission. They were going to drop off

supplies and then pick up injured and bring them back. But they never made it to the pick up point. They never were able to pick up the casualties. There were some sort of a radio communication, possibly a report of fuel problem. And now, we know the chopper went down at high altitude, 11,200 feet. This is very remote, very rugged terrain, steep on the mountain side.

And the Nepali defense secretary confirming to CNN that three charred bodies, three burned bodies have been found near the crash site which indicates that the condition of the helicopter which they are calling wreckage of the helicopter, is just not good. But still no word on the remaining crew members or the identities of the people who've been discovered so far, Christine.

ROMANS: Six marines and two people from the Nepal army. Clearly, this is not the development anyone was hoping for. There had been talk earlier this week that perhaps because of that reported fuel problem they had gone and were using their training to survive while they were -- until they were rescued.

We do know that it is difficult under even the best circumstances to fly helicopters at such high altitudes. And in the Himalayas, in particular, this is treacherous terrain.

RIPLEY: Absolutely, Christine. We flew over the spot yesterday. We surveyed not only the search zone and now located Marine helicopter, but also just got a look at the tremendous amount of damage. It really is overwhelming to see how much damage there is with landslides that eliminated the main roads to the communities which are cut off right now.

Flying in the area is difficult. You have to deal with difficult weather, sometimes low visibility. There can be very unpredictable shifts in the weather. And this is a region where helicopters have gone down before. In fact, the last 20 years, at least one case where a helicopter crashed and it was never found because the terrain is so difficult and sometimes you just can't find the wreckage.

In this case, they located the missing helicopter. There are personnel on the ground right now, special forces and Nepalese soldiers a the crash site and, of course, they're looking to see if there's any indication that somebody was able to survive. They don't have those answers right now, but three did not. We will wait to learn about the five others.

ROMANS: That's just so tragic, doing their jobs trying to help people and losing their lives in the process. Just a tragic twist. Thank you so much for that. We will bring you more information as we get it.

All right. There's new information on the crash of Amtrak 188. The engineer driving the train has agreed to be interviewed by the National Transportation Safety Board. Thirty-two-year-old Brandon Bostian was at the controls when the Washington-New York train derailed just outside Philadelphia, killing eight people and injuring more than 200. NTSB officials hope Bostian can answer some of the remaining questions.

Now, here are the questions. Why did that train accelerate from 70 miles per hour to over 100 in just the moments before the crash? We're also learning this morning that Amtrak was just months away from installing a safety system that would have prevented the deadly accident.

CNN's Brian Todd is in Philadelphia for us this morning with the latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Christine.

We have some new details on the investigation of the train derailment this morning from the NTSB. They say that the engineer of the train, Brandon Bostian, has agreed to be interviewed by NTSB officials.

[04:35:03] They say that interview will occur sometime in the next few days.

Also, some new data from the train that officials are giving us. They have analyzed the forward facing camera, which was apparently in the locomotive of the train which captured some images of the train up until a few moments before the derailment. That camera also captured a display of the train's speed and what NTSB officials have told us that it shows a gradual build up of speed until just before the end of the recording. And that end of the recording, of course, came just a couple of seconds before the train derailed. It also showed 16 seconds before the end of the recording, the train's speed exceeded 100 miles an hour.

Also, they've done some checks to the signals and controls and track from before this accident. They checked the mechanical records up until the departure of the trip. And NTSB officials say they found no anomalies on those records. They also did a track inspection. They say a geometry vehicle drove over the section of the track before the trip -- the day before this trip and found no anomalies. They also checked some of the signals around the junction of the track. Not all of them, they have checked some of the signals, and so far, they found no anomalies.

We also have some information from my colleague, Rene Marsh, this comes from an Amtrak spokesman, who told her that that system called the positive train control, which defaults and basically kicks in with an automatic system which slows down or stops the train when it's going too fast, that system was in place in the southbound side of the section of the track, but not on the northbound side, which is where the accident occurred.

The reason that positive train control is in place on the southbound side, the spokesperson tells Rene Marsh is because the trains is going from New York south travel at a much greater rate of speed, especially in that section of the track. But it's been a big controversy that that system has not been in place in the northbound section. NTSB officials say if it had been, then this accident would not have occurred -- Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right. Brian Todd for us. Thank you for that.

Now, friends and former colleagues of the engineer Brandon Bostian, they're speaking out in his defense. Xavier Bishop worked with Bostian as his flagman until Bishop was fired from Amtrak over attendance issues. Bishop described Bostian as extremely conscientious.

He tells CNN's Drew Griffin he never saw Bostian take a drink, use his cell phone or drive a train when he wasn't ready.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT: Good engineer?

XAVIER BISHOP, FORMER CO-WORKER: Great engineer. I mean, he was on point. If there was something he did not know, he knew who to call to get the information. He did not come off as I know it all, and he knew everything. He knew what he needed to know, and if he wasn't sure about, he wasn't 100 percent, he was going to call and make sure that he got the proper information. Because he wasn't going to do anything and, OK, I'm just going to assume something would happen. He was always thorough.

GRIFFIN: You mentioned we all know the speeds. We all know the track. We all know the route. You know that that curve is coming up. You know that you're leaving Philly and you have to go slow for a little while.

What I can't understand then is, how can this guy who you travelled with on these tracks many, many times have gone into this situation so hot?

BISHOP: Again, I mean, that's the million dollar question. To be honest with you, I'm going based on the person that I know. You know, I'm not going to say we can't make mistakes and we don't make mistakes. We're human. We all make mistakes. But, you know, for something like this, I don't know. It just -- there are just not enough pieces of the puzzle for me, like something just doesn't seem right.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Amtrak already facing the first in what is likely to be a series of lawsuits. Attorneys for an Amtrak dispatcher Bruce Philips who was riding as a passenger say their client was violently hurled inside the compartment before being slammed to the floor. Philips was hospitalized with a concussion, brain trauma, spinal injuries.

His attorney accusing Amtrak of gross negligence.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) ROBERT MYERS, ATTORNEY FOR BRUCE PHILIPS: Anytime a train is operating twice the speed of the restricted speed in that area, this just is not negligence, this is way beyond what any -- any train can be doing at anytime. This is -- this is horrendous, especially you have to remember, the train is going into a curve. So, you are speeding up going into the curve instead of slowing down going into a curve.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: The death toll from Tuesday's crash is now eight, as crews pulled the body of a man previously identified as missing from the wreckage of the lead car. Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter saying that discovery means all 243 people known to be aboard have now been accounted for.

President Obama offering his prayers for the victims and his thanks to the rescuers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I want to again express my deepest condolences to the families of those who died in the Tuesday's terrible train derailment outside of Philadelphia.

[04:40:00] I want to express my gratitude for the first responders who race to save lives and for the many passengers who despite their own injuries made heroic efforts to get fellow passengers to safety.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Most of the more than 200 crash victims taken to hospitals, most have been released.

A political battle raging over infrastructure spending. Yesterday, President Obama said the United States needs to invest more when it comes to infrastructure and not just when there's bridge collapses or when a train derails. House Speaker John Boehner tore into a reporter who asked him about Democrats linking Amtrak's funding to the crash.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R-OH), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: Are you really going to ask such a stupid question? Listen, you know, they started this yesterday. It's all about funding. It's all about funding. Well, obviously it's not about funding. The train was going twice the speed limit.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: On Wednesday, the House Appropriations Committee voted to reduce grants to Amtrak by 15 percent.

Sad news breaking overnight from Las Vegas -- the thrill is gone. Legendary blues artist B.B. King who inspired a generation of musicians has died. (VIDEO CLIP PLAYS)

ROMANS: One of the world's greatest guitar players and amazing vocalist. B.B. King won 15 Grammy awards and one for lifetime achievement. He was inducted in the rock 'n' roll and Blues Foundation halls of fame. His attorney says King died in his sleep at his home in Las Vegas. B.B. King was 89.

A new message purportedly from the leader of ISIS calling for new attacks. What he had to say and why the release now, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:45:21] ROMANS: ISIS trying to prove to the world its leader, seen here, is alive and well. You rarely see him. In fact, that's some of the only video available to him -- of him, rather. The terror group releasing a new 34-minute audio recording of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. CNN's Arabic speakers say the voice does indeed sound like al Baghdadi.

The voice calls on all Muslims to travel to the Middle East to join ISIS or carry out attacks where they live. Recent reports say the terror leader suffered shrapnel wounds and spinal injuries during a coalition airstrike in Iraq.

The Iranians are stirring up trouble in the Persian Gulf. Five of their warships firing on a cargo vessel bearing Singapore's flag. The incident started when the cargo ship was ordered to navigate into Iranian waters. The crew of that cargo ship refused, the Iranians fired on it, but failed to disable it. The cargo ship headed to the shores of the UAE and the Iranian gun boats backed off.

President Obama assuring Americans Persian Gulf allies will stand by them if they are ever attacked. The summit of six Arab nations hosted by the president ended Thursday with handshakes and smiles. The Gulf leaders are growing increasingly nervous about the ongoing nuclear talks with Iran. The president says the Middle East leaders support those talks as long as any agreement was verifiable.

Jurors deciding the fate of convicted Boston marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev about to begin day two, second full day of deliberations. On Thursday, the panel relayed a question for the judge, a question concerning how she should apply the legal concept of aiding and abetting. Tsarnaev faces either life in prison or the death penalty.

The Secret Service arresting a man who flew a small drone near the White House. The incident causing the White House area to go to temporary shutdown, a temporary lockdown. It comes a day after the FAA declared Washington, D.C. is a no-drone zone. You recall back in January, a drone went undetected and crashed onto the White House lawn.

The NFL announcing Roger Goodell and not an arbitrator will hear the appeal of Tom Brady's four-game suspension stemming from deflategate. The players association filed the paper work Thursday on behalf of Brady. The union had requested a neutral arbitrator hear Brady's appeal. The Patriots quarterback will try to get his suspension shortened or eliminated. Goodell himself will hear that appeal within ten days.

Blues legend B.B. King has died overnight. What a voice. What a guitar. The legacy he leaves behind next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [04:51:42] ROMANS: Music fans around the world this morning waking up to sad news. B. King has died at the age of 89. His attorney says he died in his sleep at his home in Las Vegas.

CNN's Stephanie Elam has this appreciation of his more than 60-year career.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's hard to imagine the blues without B.B. King. The legendary blues man released over 50 albums with hit songs such as "The Thrill is Gone" and "Let the Good Times Roll."

Born Riley B. King in Mississippi, he worked as a tractor driver in the cotton fields before embarking on his musical career. He began recording in the 1940s, and became known as Blues Boy King and then, more simply B.B. King.

In 1956, at the height of his popularity, he played 342 one-night stands. He continued a rigorous touring schedule into his 80s.

King's persistence and passion for the blues paid off, winning 15 Grammys.

B.B. KING, BLUES LEGEND: It always feels very, very good to go on stage whether you win a Grammy or not.

ELAM: Throughout the years, King worked with various artists like rockers U2 on the song "When Love Comes to Town", and with Eric Clapton on the album "Riding with the King".

KING: You get a chance to learn a lot of great things from people that have so much going for them today.

ELAM: In 1987, he was inducted into the rock 'n' roll hall of fame and was also given a spot on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1990. He was rarely seen with his black Gibson guitar Lucille.

This is my girl Lucille.

The gifted guitarist was the first blues musician to be honored with the Kennedy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995.

President George W. Bush also honored King in 2006 with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his musical contribution.

King's health was sometimes a concern since he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in his early 60s. KING: To me, blues is a type of music. It is good for whatever ails

you.

ELAM: In 2012, President Obama hosted a concert celebrating blues music. B.B. King was one of the featured performers.

OBAMA: The king of the blues. Mr. B.B. King.

ELAM: With a career spanning over 50 years, B.B. King let the good times roll.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:57:59] ROMANS: Welcome back. I'm Christine Romans.

Let's get an early start in your money this morning.

A good end to the week so far. European shares and Asian stocks higher. Stock futures in the U.S. are higher as well. Yesterday, the S&P 500 up 1.1 percent. A record high. The Dow and NASDAQ within striking distance of highs as well.

Stocks have been in the holding pattern for recent months, looking for a reason to move higher again today.

What's the first stock most people buy when they open an account? Apple. That's according to TD Ameritrade. After Apple, stock picks varied by generation. Millennials much more likely to buy tech companies, investing in tech companies.

Facebook is the second most popular stock for millennials. Tesla, Alibaba, that's what millineals buy when they're buying stocks. Investors over the age of 35, those Gen-Xers, they, they like GE, AT&T, Intel and Johnson & Johnson also in the top 10. But everybody likes Apple.

Many low skill jobs disappeared. That's right. That's according to a study by the Kansas City Fed. Jobs that require a college degree or some type of training have been growing in the past three years. They returned to pre-recession levels.

The same cannot be said for low skilled jobs. Growth has been weak for jobs like fast food and cleaning services and retail. Now, those jobs seem to be the only ones coming back early on in the recovery, those low wage, low skill jobs. But now, the trend has reversed as jobs that require a college degree or training, those are the jobs that returned to pre-recession levels. Interesting development.

EARLY START continues right now.

(MUSIC)

ROMANS: Breaking news this morning. A U.S. military helicopter missing after Nepal's devastating earthquake has been found. We are live.

Dramatically gaining speed as it approached the curve. Mounting questions this morning into the deadly Amtrak derailment.

And new this morning, the death of a blues legend. B.B. King dead at the age of 89. The legacy he leaves behind, we examine that next.

Good morning. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans. It is Friday, May 15th. It is 4:00 a.m. in the East -- 5:00 a.m. in the East. John Berman has the morning off.

I want to begin with our breaking news this morning.