Fatal Terrorist Attack (92 onboard; 1600 on the ground/south WTC tower) – Boeing 767-223ER, N334AA, Flight 11
New York City’s World Trade Center, North Tower, September 11, 2001
OFFICIAL PRELIMINARY REPORT: Report Not Available Yet
OFFICIAL FINAL REPORT: https://asn.flightsafety.org/reports/2001/20010911_B762_N334AA.pdf
AviationSafetyX Summation:
American Airlines Flight 11 was a scheduled passenger flight from Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts, to Los Angeles International Airport in California. Operated by a Boeing 767-223ER with registration number N334AA, the aircraft was hijacked by five al-Qaeda terrorists on the morning of September 11, 2001. The flight became the first of four hijacked aircraft in the coordinated terrorist attacks that reshaped global security and geopolitics.
The aircraft departed Logan Airport at 7:59 AM ET, carrying 92 occupants, including 11 crew members, 81 passengers, and 5 hijackers. Within 15 minutes of takeoff, the hijackers initiated their plan, overpowering the crew and gaining access to the cockpit. Mohamed Atta, the ringleader of the hijackers and a trained pilot, assumed control of the aircraft. Reports indicate that the hijackers used knives and mace to subdue passengers and crew, forcing them to the rear of the aircraft.
Flight attendants Betty Ong and Amy Sweeney managed to contact American Airlines personnel, providing critical information about the hijackers and the events onboard. They described how two flight attendants had been stabbed and passenger Daniel Lewin had been fatally attacked while attempting to intervene. Their calls provided the first confirmation of the hijacking and helped identify the attackers’ seat locations.
At 8:14 AM, Boston Air Traffic Control lost contact with the pilots, marking the beginning of the hijacking. Shortly afterward, the aircraft’s transponder was turned off, complicating tracking efforts. However, air traffic controllers detected the plane’s deviation from its assigned course as it turned southward toward New York City.
At 8:24 AM, Mohamed Atta inadvertently broadcast a message intended for passengers, stating, “We have some planes. Just stay quiet, and you’ll be OK.” This transmission alerted air traffic controllers to the hijacking’s deliberate nature. Additional transmissions from the cockpit included threats and misleading statements about returning to the airport, further confirming the hijackers’ control.
Flight 11’s final moments were marked by a controlled descent and precise navigation toward the World Trade Center. At 8:46 AM, the aircraft, traveling at approximately 440 mph, struck the North Tower (1 World Trade Center) between floors 93 and 99. The impact caused catastrophic damage, severing critical structural components and igniting massive fires fueled by the plane’s jet fuel.
The crash killed all 92 individuals aboard and hundreds of people in the tower’s impact zone. The force of the collision destroyed all three stairwells above the 91st floor, trapping occupants in the upper levels. As smoke and flames spread, many perished from the fires or were forced to jump to escape the intense heat.
Witnesses in New York City and nearby areas saw the crash and its aftermath, with only a few recordings capturing the event. Among these was footage by Jules Naudet, who was filming a documentary on qqqqfirefighters nearby. The initial assumption by the media and public was that the crash was a tragic accident, a theory dispelled when United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower 17 minutes later.
The fires in the North Tower burned for 102 minutes before the building collapsed at 10:28 AM. Investigations later attributed the collapse to the combined effects of the aircraft’s impact and the high-temperature fires weakening the steel structure. The collapse caused further casualties, including rescue workers and first responders who were aiding evacuation efforts.
Recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site unearthed body fragments, personal items, and aircraft debris. The remains of 33 victims from Flight 11 were identified within a year, and subsequent advancements in DNA technology helped identify others years later. The remains of some hijackers were also recovered and buried separately.
Investigators retrieved critical evidence from Mohamed Atta’s luggage, which had not been loaded onto the flight. The items included flight training materials, a folding knife, and a letter outlining the hijackers’ plans and preparations. This evidence provided key insights into the attackers’ methods and motives.
The attacks led to significant changes in aviation security, including reinforced cockpit doors, enhanced passenger screening procedures, and the establishment of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). These measures were aimed at preventing similar tragedies and restoring public confidence in air travel.
The events of Flight 11 also had a profound cultural and emotional impact. The bravery of the crew members, particularly Betty Ong and Amy Sweeney, who relayed critical information during the hijacking, has been commemorated through awards and memorials. Their actions provided invaluable details that shaped the immediate response to the attacks.
Flight 11’s story is one of unimaginable loss and enduring resilience. The names of its victims are inscribed on the North Pool of the National September 11 Memorial, ensuring their memory is preserved. The site of the World Trade Center has since been rebuilt, symbolizing recovery and hope.
The legacy of Flight 11 extends beyond its tragic end. It serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in global security and the need for vigilance. The lessons learned from the attacks have informed counterterrorism strategies and international cooperation in addressing emerging threats.
American Airlines retired the Flight 11 designation, and a flag now flies at Gate B32 at Logan Airport in honor of those lost. These symbolic gestures underscore the impact of the tragedy and the collective resolve to remember and learn from the past.
The story of Flight 11 encapsulates both the darkest and most inspiring aspects of human experience. While the events of that day highlight the capacity for destruction, they also reveal extraordinary courage, unity, and determination in the face of adversity.
NTSB Accident Report Summary: https://asn.flightsafety.org/reports/2001/20010911_B762_N334AA.pdf
FBI 9-11 Review Commission Report (Unclassified): https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/final-9-11-review-commission-report-unclassified.pdf/view
PDF: https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/final-9-11-review-commission-report-unclassified.pdf
9/11 Commission Final Report: https://9-11commission.gov/report/
PDF: https://dpcld.defense.gov/Portals/49/Documents/Civil/911Report.pdf
The Aviatioist Report:
https://theaviationist.com/category/military-history/9-11/
The WarZone:
What 9/11 Was Like For The Only American That Watched It From Space
https://www.twz.com/42330/what-9-11-was-like-for-the-only-american-that-watched-it-from-space
Aircraft Operator:
United Airlines
Video(s):
n/a
Accident Location:
New York City’s World Trade Center, North Tower
40°42’36.27″N 74° 0’43.27″W (https://g.co/kgs/ZDW7WrE)
ASN:
https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/323229
FAA/International Registration:
N334AA (https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=334AA)
Year of Manufacture:
1983
SN/Military Registration/BUNO:
21873/41
Facebook:
National September 11 Memorial & Museum
https://www.facebook.com/911memorial/
X/Twitter (reports+videos):
n/a
ADS-B Exchange:
n/a
FlightAware:
n/a
flightradar24:
n/a
AirNav.radar:
n/a
National Report(s):
archived
Local Report(s):
archived
Image Reference(s):
https://www.fema.gov/media-library/
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/11333047
https://asn.flightsafety.org/photos/wiki/2001/20010911_B762_N334AA_17024.jpg
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The information provided is based on external sources and is subject to updates or changes as new details emerge.