CNN says Iraq pilot backtracking on his account of Brian Williams visit

NEW YORK, N.Y. – CNN says that a former pilot who says he flew with NBC anchor Brian Williams in Iraq is questioning his own account of the mission that he outlined to the network on Thursday.

CNN’s Brian Stelter interviewed Rich Krell, who claimed he piloted the helicopter that Williams flew on in Iraq in 2003. Krell said Thursday that the aircraft was hit by small arms fire, although not the grenade that Williams had one time claimed.

Stelter said Friday that Krell, whose account was contradicted by other soldiers, is now saying that he is questioning his own memories — including the fact that he piloted Williams’ aircraft. Stelter said it was important to tell viewers that he is no longer standing by his story.

Williams has apologized for giving a false account of what he faced when reporting in Iraq a dozen years ago.