TEXT OF LETTER FROM FRANCIS G. POWERS TO THE NEW YORK TIMES (PRINTED IN THE 24 DECEMBER 1960 EDITION)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP33-02415A000800300013-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 15, 2000
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: September 24, 1960
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Release 2000/08/25: CIA-RDP33-02415A000800300013-5
TEXT OF LETTER FROM FRANCIS G. POWERS
TO THE NEW YORK TIMES
(Printed in the 24 September 1960 Edition)
To the Editor of the New York Times
New York, N. Y.
Dear Sir:
I was given the opportunity of reading the article
printed in the New York Times on August 27, in which it
was said that during an interview my father said that I
do not believe that I was shot down.
Obviously my father did not properly understand my
answers during my trial. I should like to clear up this
misunderstanding, and say that although I did not see
what caused the explosion, I am sure that the plane did
not blow up by itself. All the instruments which showed
the functioning of the motor were in complete order up
to the time of the explosion, which I both felt and
heard. I also saw an orange flash when I looked down.
I am not sure, but I think that the explosion oc-
curred behind the plane, or perhaps to the right. I did
not feel any blow whatever on the surface of the plane.
Therefore I think that the destruction of the plane was
caused by shock wave.
I can only guess what happened after this. I think
that at first the tail of the plane was torn off, causing
the nose to drop, as a result of which the wings were
torn off. The cockpit and the remaining parts of the
plane began to fall in a spin, and because of the accel-
eration of the free fall I could not eject myself.
Finally I got out of the plane at a height of 14,000
feet or lower. I indicate this height, since my para-
chute opened automatically, and it was set to open at
this height. It opened immediately after I had jumped
from the plane.
As I said at my trial, when the explosion occurred
I was flying at the maximum height. This was at a height
of 68,000 feet.
Approved For Release 2000/08/25: CIA-RDP33-02415A000800300013-5
 Approved For Release 2000/08/25: CIA-RDP33-02415A000800300013-5
I am sure that my father did not properly understand
my words during the trial, and if that is so, then per-
haps there are other people who also did not understand
me properly. I hope this letter will clear up any mis-
understanding about this question.
My father did understand me properly when I said that
when all this is over I am coming home. I am really going
to return home, and I pray that I shall not have to stay
in prison for ten years. Excuse me for troubling you, but
I consider it essential to clarify the question of what
really happened.
Yours sincerely,
Francis Gary Powers
Approved For Release 2000/08/25: CIA-RDP33-02415A000800300013-5