The Fall of the Twin Towers and Pentagon
"Today, our nation saw evil." US President, George
Bush.
A significant aspect of the ‘9/11’ attacks, the dualistic collision of planes into the World Trade Centre became the symbol for terrorist brutality, causing severe civilian losses and leaving America emotionally, physically and financially wounded for an indefinite period. Further fueling their anger, two additional planes were deliberately brought down, crashing into the Pentagon and an unused field in Pennsylvania. During this terrible day, thousands were suspected to have died, and many others left in the ruins of the W.T.C buildings. |
As many headed off for work in the early hours of the 11th September, 2001, the commercial ‘American Airlines Flight 11’ smashed into the wall of the Northern Tower of the WTC, with its speeds of 440 miles per hour ensuring the deaths of all commuters. Filling barely more than half of the maximum passenger capacity, and with very little fuel, it is concerning that this unusual behaviour was not noted prior to the accident, many American citizens fearing a repeat performance due to the ease at which the plane was hijacked. Almost an hour after the initial strike, the ‘United Flight 175’ made contact with the Southern building of the World Trade Centre at 540 miles per hour, again being relatively empty and worryingly low on fuel, two indicators of the intended use of the plane. Now aiming for an entirely different target, the ‘American Airlines Flight 77’ set off for Los Angeles with only two thirds of the plane being occupied, and an hour later, had crashed into the Pentagon at a speed of 530 miles per hour. Setting sections of the building alight upon impact, the majority of people inside were made to evacuate the site as they watched the building disintegrate before them. The Pentagon was best known for being an American military base. The final phase of the terrorist plot began with the ‘United Airlines Flight 93’, which was travelling to San Francisco with only 37 passengers and very little fuel, crashing at 560mph into an empty field in Pennsylvania and killing all in the aircraft. This plane alone was unable to reach its intended target, which is suggested to have been the Capitol Building or White House.
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The Planes That Shook the WorldThe (above) image shows a Boeing 767-200ER, a similar model to that of the ‘American Airlines Flight 11’ plane. This plane had made regular flights to and from Boston and Los Angeles for several years without terrorist interference.
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Image 1: 'United Airlines Flight 93' prior to take-off during an earlier flight.
Image 2: List of the known Crew members and passengers who died during this flight. Image 3: Jason Dahl, captain of the hijacked plane. Image 4: Thomas Burnett Jr., one of the brave victims who fought of the hijackers. Image 5: Todd M. Beamer, another fearless passenger who combated the terrorists. Image 6: The crash site of Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. |
Fearless Commuters Fought BackIn several of the planes, there is strong evidence to suggest that there was resistance from the passengers, attempting to combat the terrorists and prevent the attacks, however were only successful on one occasion. During the final flight, which was intended to destroy yet another powerful US organisation’s headquarters, passengers became aware of the plane’s future involvement in the string of terrorist assaults, bravely fighting the four hijackers in order to regain control of the aircraft and avoid the inevitable deaths of many innocent citizens. Although their personal deaths did eventuate, this was in part due to the disruption caused by the commuters, the extremists being prevented from reaching their target as they plummeted into the Earth, far from harm. Other victims, with insufficient warning of their involvement in the acts of terrorism, were unable to act, however contacted their families with their final goodbyes.
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