What It Was Like Inside Air Force One During 9/11

On a clear September morning in 2001, President George W. Bush began his day in Florida, unaware of the historic events that were about to unfold. At 8:32 AM, he left his room at the Colony Beach Resort, heading toward a local elementary school to promote a new education program. This type of event seemed routine and insignificant on the grand scale of history, destined to be forgotten. But just minutes before he arrived, the world would be forever altered by an unimaginable tragedy.

The Morning of September 11: Chaos Unfolds

At 8:46 AM, American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. The news spread rapidly across television networks in a way that was unprecedented. A camera crew from WNYW went on the air just one minute and 28 seconds after the impact, capturing the first reports of the event. As the world struggled to comprehend what was happening, reporters like Jim from WNYW relayed the initial information: “Just a few moments ago, something believed to be a plane crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center.” By 8:49 AM, major networks such as CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, and international stations interrupted their programming to broadcast the horrifying news. In just ten minutes, the attention of the entire globe was focused on New York City.

At the same time, President Bush, still at the school, was informed by his staff about the first crash, but the details were unclear. White House Chief of Staff Karl Rove notified the president just before he walked into the classroom to greet the children. As Bush sat, listening to the students read, there was still a sense that this might have been a tragic accident. That belief would soon be shattered.

At 9:03 AM, United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Just two minutes later, the White House Chief of Staff leaned into the president’s ear and delivered the chilling words: “A second plane hit the second tower. America is under attack.” While President Bush remained calm in front of the students, the world outside was in chaos.

Air Force One Takes Flight Amidst Uncertainty

Meanwhile, Air Force One, the president’s modified Boeing 747, was being prepared for a short flight back to Washington, D.C. No one knew at the time, but this would turn into a much longer and more complex day for the president. Reports of additional attacks soon reached the president, including the news that at 9:43 AM, another plane had crashed into the Pentagon. “This is coming at 9:43 Eastern time. We’re looking at a live picture from Washington, and there is smoke pouring out of the Pentagon,” a news anchor announced as the crisis escalated.

As Bush boarded Air Force One, security concerns emerged. There were reports of a person with an unclear device near the runway, raising fears that the plane could be attacked during takeoff. To be safe, the pilot decided to switch runways and climb at a steep angle to avoid potential threats. The situation grew more intense as officials learned that United Flight 93, hijacked by terrorists, was still airborne and heading toward Washington, D.C. Passengers aboard Flight 93, having heard of the earlier attacks, attempted to take control of the plane from the hijackers. Although their revolt was unsuccessful, they managed to prevent the plane from reaching its target, and it crashed into a field in Pennsylvania at 10:03 AM.

Decisions and Tensions Aboard Air Force One

Aboard Air Force One, there was a heated debate about whether the president should return to Washington. Bush wanted to return to the capital, but the Secret Service insisted on keeping him away from potential danger. Ultimately, the plane diverted to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, where it could refuel and give the president a secure location to assess the situation. Concerns over Air Force One’s safety persisted throughout the flight, with fears that it could become a target.

During this time, a controversial decision was made. In the secure bunker beneath the White House, Vice President Dick Cheney was informed of a possible hijacked plane heading toward Washington. Between 10:12 and 10:18 AM, Cheney was asked whether the plane should be shot down if it continued on its course. Cheney, according to witnesses and his own biography, did not hesitate and gave the order to shoot down any plane posing a threat. However, Cheney did not have the authority to issue such an order; only the president or the Secretary of Defense could do so. At that moment, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld was unreachable, busy helping with rescue efforts at the Pentagon.