NATION IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : Heinz Plane Was Set to Land, Tape Shows

The plane in which Sen. John Heinz (R-Pa.), 52, was killed on April 4 did not appear to have landing-gear problems as its pilots believed and was cleared for landing before it collided with a helicopter, according to an airport communications tape released by the Federal Aviation Administration. “Everything looks good from here,” said the oil-company helicopter pilot who inspected the plane’s gear from the air near Philadelphia. “OK, appreciate that, we’ll start to turn in,” replied one of the pilots of the Heinz plane. No crash is heard but the last words are of the airport tower trying vainly to communicate with the plane and the helicopter.