nmah5712.xml
Title
nmah5712.xml
Source
born-digital
Media Type
story
Date Entered
2003-09-11
NMAH Story: Story
I am a pilot for American Airlines. On September 11, 2001
at 0750 CST I was piloting an MD-80 aircraft and approaching New Orleans on a flight path from West Palm
Beach, Florida to Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. The First
Officer and I had just finished our breakfast and were
enjoying a beautiful flight over the Gulf of Mexico. I
remember having my coffee with my feet up on the foot
rests by the yoke. I asked the First Officer to monitor
the ATC radio while I adjusted the ADF frequency to a
New Orleans beacon. The ADF is similiar to a radio in
that you listen to the sound the beacon makes to identify
the navigation station. This station happened to be a
news station (WWL-870). I heard a newsman talking over
sirens and saying something about a plane and a building.
After receiving more information, I asked the ATC controller if they were watching the news...her reply:
"Oh, yeah", in a dark voice. At this time other aircraft
asked what was up. I referred them to the news station.
Soon everyone was commenting. The ATC controller requested
that all planes contact their company...this was standard
procedure, but was impossible due the immense amount of
radio traffic. Next the controller said that ATC was
recommending all planes to land. I looked at our options,
and by now the best plan to proceed to our original
destination of DFW.
I informed the flight attendants of the situation and decided not to inform the passengers til we landed. The
landing pattern at DFW was eerily quiet. The tower
controller gave us clearance to land...I still remember
her saying "have a good day" out of habit...my reply was
that "I'm not so sure about that". After landing I
informed the passengers and allowed them to use their
cell phones...quiet crying broke out in the back. My cell
phone had thirteen messages on it. We unloaded the
passengers at the terminal and moved the plane away from
the gate to make room for other flights. I will never
forget how quiet the DFW terminal looked at noon on a
bright, sunny day.
at 0750 CST I was piloting an MD-80 aircraft and approaching New Orleans on a flight path from West Palm
Beach, Florida to Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. The First
Officer and I had just finished our breakfast and were
enjoying a beautiful flight over the Gulf of Mexico. I
remember having my coffee with my feet up on the foot
rests by the yoke. I asked the First Officer to monitor
the ATC radio while I adjusted the ADF frequency to a
New Orleans beacon. The ADF is similiar to a radio in
that you listen to the sound the beacon makes to identify
the navigation station. This station happened to be a
news station (WWL-870). I heard a newsman talking over
sirens and saying something about a plane and a building.
After receiving more information, I asked the ATC controller if they were watching the news...her reply:
"Oh, yeah", in a dark voice. At this time other aircraft
asked what was up. I referred them to the news station.
Soon everyone was commenting. The ATC controller requested
that all planes contact their company...this was standard
procedure, but was impossible due the immense amount of
radio traffic. Next the controller said that ATC was
recommending all planes to land. I looked at our options,
and by now the best plan to proceed to our original
destination of DFW.
I informed the flight attendants of the situation and decided not to inform the passengers til we landed. The
landing pattern at DFW was eerily quiet. The tower
controller gave us clearance to land...I still remember
her saying "have a good day" out of habit...my reply was
that "I'm not so sure about that". After landing I
informed the passengers and allowed them to use their
cell phones...quiet crying broke out in the back. My cell
phone had thirteen messages on it. We unloaded the
passengers at the terminal and moved the plane away from
the gate to make room for other flights. I will never
forget how quiet the DFW terminal looked at noon on a
bright, sunny day.
NMAH Story: Life Changed
My entire career was changed in those few moments.
NMAH Story: Remembered
The resilience of the American people.
NMAH Story: Flag
A flag is now permanently displayed on my front porch.
Citation
“nmah5712.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed November 23, 2024, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/46562.