The Secret Service today is looking at the security holes revealed early Monday when a small plane flew through prohibited air space before crashing against the White House.
Frank Corder, the pilot of the stolen, single-engine plane, was decapitated in the crash.
The Cessna 150 slammed on the South Lawn at 1:49 a.m. ET and cartwheeled against the White House two floors below the Clintons' private quarters.
The Clintons were not there. They were staying across Pennsylvania Avenue because of renovations, but returned to the White House Monday night.
Clinton expressed "great confidence" in the Secret Service, adding: "Let me assure all Americans the people's house will be kept safe, it will be kept open and the people's business will go on."
Clinton was awakened at 2:35 a.m. and told of the crash by chief of staff Leon Panetta.
Security agents spotted the plane with just "enough time to run for cover," said Secret Service spokesman Carl Meyer.
He would not speculate on Corder's motive, but said the crash didn't appear to be directed toward Clinton.
Even if the light plane hit the White House full force, grenade-proof windows and reinforced walls likely would have prevented serious damage.
No bombs or weapons were found in the wreckage. Meyer said it was possible Corder was trying to land, not crash.
There were reports the plane approached without its engine running and only lights on its wingtips.
Corder, 38, was said to have a history of drug and alcohol abuse, and be distraught over the breakup of his marriage.
"He just went to pieces," says aunt Edith Dishman. "He did this to destroy himself."
The Service wants to know:
-- Whether security procedures were followed.
-- How Corder made his way unchallenged through prohibited air space.
Sharpshooters are stationed on the White House roof, and security forces are reportedly armed with shoulder-fired Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.
