Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Sunday Morning

U.S. Surveillance Plane Aided Accident in Peru

Aired April 22, 2001 - 08:05   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: New details are emerging in the downing of a small plane in Peru that was carrying American missionaries. The three survivors of the accident are due to arrive in Newark, New Jersey today and then go to Philadelphia for medical treatment.

As we see in this report from CNN's Kathleen Koch, a U.S surveillance plane apparently played a role in the accident.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Friends in the victim's hometown of Muskegon, Michigan are mourning and wondering why. The Cessna 185 with five American Baptist missionaries on board was flying in northeastern Peru Friday when it was shot down by a Peruvian military aircraft.

Flying nearby but involved in the shot down, the U.S. reconnaissance plane helping the Peruvians detect drug trafficking flights. Killed were 35-year-old Ronnie Bowers and her infant daughter, Charity. Bowers' husband, Jim and son, Corey survived. Pilot, Kevin Donaldson was also wounded. His wife spoke with Jim Bowers.

BOBBI DONALDSON, PILOT'S WIFE (through translator): He said that a bullet had killed his wife. But the bullet that went through her back, hitting her baby laying on her lap -- the bullet entered the baby's head.

KOCH: The Peruvian Air Force, which has expressed regret, says the plane had not filed a flight plan and did not respond to commands to identify itself. Facing such circumstances and an agreement with established procedures, the intercept system was activated, explains a Peruvian statement.

President Bush learned of the incident while attending a regional summit in Canada.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Our hearts go out to the families, the community affected by the loss. I will wait to see all the facts before I reach any conclusions about blame.

KOCH: The shoot down occurred in an Amazon jungle area rife with drug trafficking. U.S. diplomats in the region say apparently the Peruvian Air Force thought the plane was transporting contraband drugs. A missionary spokesman agreed.

MICHAEL LOFTIS, ABWE PRESIDENT: Apparently, it was a mistaken identity type situation, a very tragic situation. And the pilot was shot in both legs and somehow managed to make an emergency landing on the Amazon River, saving his life and the life of two others on the plane.

KOCH (on camera): Since the 1990's, Peru has been a key U.S. ally in the war on drug trafficking. Most involved hope this incident doesn't derail that effort or the work of the missionary community.

Kathleen Koch for CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com