On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes and carried out coordinated attacks on the United States, resulting in the deadliest terrorist attack in human history. Two of these planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, were flown into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, causing the buildings to collapse and killing nearly 3,000 people.
American Airlines Flight 11 departed from Boston’s Logan International Airport at 7:59 a.m. Eastern Time, bound for Los Angeles. The plane was carrying 11 crew members and 76 passengers, including five hijackers who had smuggled box cutters and pepper spray onto the plane. The hijackers, who were affiliated with the Islamist extremist group al-Qaeda, quickly took control of the plane and overpowered the flight crew.
At 8:46 a.m., the hijackers piloted the plane into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The impact caused a massive explosion and set the building ablaze. The chaos and confusion that ensued was captured by news cameras and broadcast around the world. Meanwhile, air traffic controllers and aviation officials struggled to comprehend what was happening and mount a response.
At 9:03 a.m., United Airlines Flight 175, also bound for Los Angeles, was hijacked and flown into the South Tower of the World Trade Center. The impact was even more devastating than the first attack, and the tower collapsed just minutes later. The destruction and loss of life were catastrophic.
The aviation industry was forever changed by the events of 9/11. In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, all commercial air traffic in the United States was grounded for three days, and new security measures were put in place to prevent future hijackings. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was established to oversee airport security and screening, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented new regulations and procedures for airline operations and air traffic control.
The attacks also had a profound impact on the lives of those who were directly affected. Families and loved ones of the victims mourned their loss and struggled to come to terms with the tragedy. Many first responders and emergency workers who rushed to the scene of the attacks suffered from physical and mental health problems as a result of their heroic efforts.
The legacy of 9/11 continues to be felt in the aviation industry and beyond. The TSA and other agencies responsible for ensuring the safety of air travel continue to adapt and evolve their procedures to keep up with evolving threats, and the memory of those who lost their lives in the attacks is honored and remembered each year on the anniversary of that fateful day.
