Pilot Recalls 9/11 Order to Intercept Hijacked Flight 93

Why it matters locally: The events of September 11, 2001, including the heroism of those aboard Flight 93, are commemorated annually across New Jersey, with many residents having personal connections to the tragedies of that day.

On September 11, 2001, Washington, D.C. Air National Guard pilot Heather Penney prepared for a mission to intercept United Airlines Flight 93. Military officials believed the hijacked commercial airliner was heading toward Washington, D.C. Penney received orders to stop the aircraft before it reached the capital. Penney, then a first lieutenant, was one of two pilots scrambled from Andrews Air Force Base. They flew F-16 fighter jets. Their aircraft did not carry live ammunition. Penney's assignment involved preventing the hijacked plane from reaching its suspected target. She planned to crash her F-16 into Flight 93. She describes her thoughts during this period as focused on executing the task. The passengers of United Airlines Flight 93 subsequently confronted the hijackers. The plane crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. This action prevented the hijackers from reaching their intended target. Penney did not have to carry out her intercept mission. News reports later identified the passengers' actions as a factor in the plane's crash in Pennsylvania. This event occurred before Penney could reach Flight 93.