WASHINGTON — Police arrested a Florida Postal Service worker who steered his tiny aircraft onto the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol after flying over the National Mall on Wednesday.
The pilot was Douglas Mark Hughes of Ruskin, Fla., who remained in custody Wednesday evening, according to a Capitol Police statement. On his website, Hughes said he was delivering letters to all 535 members of Congress to draw attention to campaign finance corruption.
“As I have informed the authorities, I have no violent inclinations or intent,” Hughes wrote on his website, . “An ultralight aircraft poses no major physical threat — it may present a political threat to graft. I hope so. There’s no need to worry — I’m just delivering the mail.”
Capitol Police said Hughes could face charges of violating federal aviation laws. A Senate aide said Capitol Police knew of the plan shortly before Hughes took off.
Witnesses said the craft flew low over the National Mall and the Capitol reflecting pool. It barely cleared a row of trees and a statue of Gen. Ulysses Grant.
