The Untold Story of Airline Flight 93 in the Words of the Passengers
On September 11, 2001, four planes were hijacked by terrorists to perpetrate the deadliest terrorist attack in human history. Three of those planes hit their designated targets, but the fourth, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed in a field in rural Pennsylvania. The heroic actions of its passengers prevented the terrorist plot from claiming even more innocent lives. This article will tell the untold story of Flight 93 in the words of its passengers.
The Flight and the Hijacking
Flight 93 was scheduled to fly from Newark, New Jersey, to San Francisco, California, on that fateful day. Onboard were 33 passengers, seven crew members, and four terrorists, who had smuggled box cutters through security. The terrorists, that were associated with Al-Qaeda, took control of the plane less than an hour into the flight and turned it back towards the northeast, intending to crash it into either the Capitol Building or the White House in Washington, D.C.
The Call to Action
The passengers and flight crew realized the severity of the situation and began making frantic calls to friends and family, alerting them of the hijacking. They learned of the other hijackings and the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. They also conjectured that their plane was likely headed towards the same fate.
In the first class cabin, passenger Tom Burnett made a call to his wife, informing her of the hijacking and the passengers’ plan to confront the terrorists. He said, “I know we’re all going to die. There’s three of us who are going to do something about it. I love you, honey.”
The Final Moments
The passengers and crew made a collective decision to take back the plane. They charged the cockpit and fought against the terrorists with the intention of regaining control of the aircraft. Passengers Todd Beamer and Mark Bingham led the effort, repeating their famous rallying cry: “Let’s roll.”
The struggle between the passengers and the terrorists continued until the plane descended in altitude and ultimately crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing all onboard. The heroic actions of the passengers prevented the terrorists from reaching their intended target and causing even more destruction and loss of life.
Conclusion
The passengers of Flight 93 were ordinary people who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. In their final moments, they showed incredible bravery and selflessness, putting their lives at risk to save others. Their actions were a testament to the unwavering American spirit, the determination to stand up against evil, and the courage to do what is right, no matter the cost. The untold story of Flight 93 in the words of the passengers is one of heroism and sacrifice that will be remembered and admired for generations to come.
