8/14/2019 Transcript of FAA Open Line on 9/11

1/10

''9/11 Closed by Statute9/11 Agency Internal Matters

Commiss ion SensitiveTranscript of East NTMO, LinePrepared by Miles KaraNov 4, 2003

Admin Line

Voices Heard \f Griffith, senior ATC official at the WO C jDoug [Gould?], sitting next to JeffMike Artest, Command CenterJohn White, Command Center \ e s t a r t s at 1302Z

Following times are not accuracte \ : Pete Mulligan to Mike Artest, informs Com

Zero. TMC talked to Wanda at about 07,1307Z; Artest confirms 2 a/cinto world trade center. Artest, military scrambling? Mulligan, militaryup soon after first one but obviously didn't ge t to! the area.1315:20: Cinncinati calls Artest about "special telecom." Artestisays they will set it up

within the next hour. ;1319:05: Nancy to Mike Artest, I have Jeff Griffith on the line arid he needs to talk to

either Linda or John. John White takes the call anji is told that Jeffneeds a place/number he can "call any time and talk to you." He isgiven aNOM number open all the time,| | Griffith respondsthat he has been calling it and it rings off the hook, so make suresomeone answers it.

1320:48: Discussion of aircraft picture in NY. Jeff is told NY is at ATC zero and askswhy. John: because they don't know the security threat to their facilityand are trying to work that out right now. Have gone to first tier groundstop for right now. Jeff , "hang on."

1323:03: (Background, this is FBI, Jeff Bauer.) Jeff: go ahead with New York Center.Artest: We have a first tier ground stop for all New York arrivals, excuseme, just went to Nation wid e.. .taking inventory, other suspect aircraftincludes a third aircraft a Delta out of Boston that we are still checkingon. Still haven't established 2d aircraft that hit 2d tower, either anAmerican or United. Jeff: it's a United 175, needs departure anddestination. John: Boston and will check on destination.

1324:03: John: says UAL destination was LAX.

8/14/2019 Transcript of FAA Open Line on 9/11

2/10

1324:36: In backgrou nd, John passes UAL 175 confirmation to Mike Attest.Background: Discussion about D1989 and a voice says what about theAmerican out of Dulles. Answer, we've lost him (in background somefaint detailsprimary, no radar, no ELT, flight level 350, CharlestonW V )1325:36: Jeff asks about a Chicago to LA flight. Check with Chicago C enter orsomeone, in fact what we need to do is get an awareness out to TMCs orTraffic Man agement U nits to report any unusual circumstances direct tothe Command Center of lost identification or any radio or any unusualradio transmissions.1326:07: John: I have one of those reports fo r you. American 77, Dulles to LAX wasat flight level 350 west of Charleston W V in Indianapolis' ai r space theyhave lost the target and are going back to look fo r target now, they don ' thave a prim ary or anything like that. Jeff: W hat time? John: W elearned about it "10 minu tes ago." Have found the Delta aircraft, no

longer a problem.1326:48: Nationwide discussion. Jeff: we are talking about that right now, just haveCanoles, correction just m ake sure we get this inform ation out to theCen ters to report to you any unusual transm issions or any loss of radaridentification. Just stay on the line don ' t hang this think up.1327:30: Backg round [possibly Slaney]: Am erican 77 out of Dulles, you 're aware of

that. Another voice: Terrorists have reported that they have "otheraircraft."1328:02: Doug on line, sitting next to Jeff: John: W e just did a nationwide groundstop. W e are going out and requesting any inform ation on other aircraftwe may have. Checking specifically Chicago.1332:33: John to Doug: W e just had another report, United 93, who w as in ClevelandCenter's air space somewhere around Dyers intersection, jus t reportedthat they heard screaming on the frequency and the people have a bombon board. The aircraft departed Newark en route to San Francisco.1336:01: W hite House and Situation Room mentioned in background, very faint, "o nthe bridge"1336:48: John to Doug: Another report, Continental 321 over South Bend en routeCleveland to D enver, squawked hijack three times, w e have madecontact with pilot and pilot has told us everything is OK. W e are tryingto determine why he squawked hijack.

8/14/2019 Transcript of FAA Open Line on 9/11

3/10

1337:32: Bac kground : Plane crashed into the Pentagon. Continental 321 over SouthBend, Cle velan d to Denv er, squawked hijack three times. Pilot saideverything was OK. Background United 93 is starting to descend.1337:56: Background: Holy Cow Confirmed somebody crashed into the Pentagon.1338:05 John to Jeff: UA93, we spoke about him before, he is reversing course overAkron, they just lost his transponder, he is heading Eastbound. Jeff:W hat type. John: 757, he is descending. Jeff: Heard some body crashedinto the Pentagon.1338:40: Voice asked, "who is the sup here?" These people need to know, too, aswell. (Voice could be at either WOC or CC.)1339:06: John to Doug : W e are diverting all international aircraft inbound to US,especially from Europe . They are going to divert to Canada at this time.1340:54: Jeff to John: John, please make sure som eone is on this line at all times. Putin a National G round Stop to all airports put everything on the ground.John, we've already done that. Jeff: W ho told you to do it? John: wedid it on our own. Jeff: Don't take any actions like that on your own thiswhole thing needs to be coordinated and that is a decision by theAdministrator, put everything on the ground, and keep some one on thisline all the time please.1341:18: John to Jeff: UA 93 is 29 minutes out of DC and tracking, this is the one thatreversed course in Ohio.1342:04: Jeff to Arthur, get John. Jeff: The UA 93 is 29 minutes out of where. John:He is headed toward the Washington area, flight level 350, turnedaround at Akron Ohio and is tracking toward Washington area at thistime. Jeff: Please stay on the line.1342:48: Jeff to John: UA 93, type aircraft? John: B757. Doug: They pulled Jeff awayto talk about 93 . John: Do we w ant to think about scrambling aircraft.Doug: God, I don't know. John: That's a decision somebody has tomake probably in the nex t 10 minutes. Doug: You know, every one justleft th e room.1343:36: John to Doug: W e have another one. Deltal 989, Cleveland to Boston,currently in Cleveland Center airspace in Northern Ohio and hasconfirmed hijack.1344:24: Doug to John: Do you know what VIVI 36 is for a call sign? G etting arequest to authenticate a c all sign from JFK approach. Cannotauthenticate at this time.

8/14/2019 Transcript of FAA Open Line on 9/11

4/10

1344:48: Background: [Doug] We have a Delta 1989 from Cleveland to Boston,confirmed hijack. John: Dou g, he was originally going Cleveland to LosAn geles and has turned around going to Boston. (Conversationcontinued)1345:36: Doug to John: Peter is talking to Monte now about scram bling. BackgroundDoug to Jerry we're trying to m ake a decision now about scram bling.1345:56: John to Doug: I was just advised we are scrambling in New York andWashington areas.1346:28: Background: D1989 H e was Cleveland to L AX , confirm ed hijack, now goingto Boston.1347:00: John to Doug: Just got an update on 1989 who has advised he is not a TRIPflight and returning to Cleveland. Doug: I'm confu sed as all get out.

John: Trip flight is the code. Dou g: what does that m ean? John: thatm eans he is not a hijack, he thinks.1347:33: John we don' t have a position any longer on UA93, he passed right overPittsburgh that's about the last tim e we saw him. . . .2 0 miles NW ofJohnstown. Doug: On prim ary? John: That's a report from anotheraircraft.1348:12: Dou g to John: Do we have any m ore outliers? Continental 321 do we knowanything about him now? John: I have no update on Continental 3211348:35: Doug to John: When did we issue the nationwide ground stop? "Sevenminutes before Jeff told us to do it." Back ground discussio n about achronology and about guards on the door.1349:10: Bac kgroun d: John to George, ask them for a tim e [on the ground stop]. Alater voice says 1325Z.1349:36: Background: UA93 11 m iles S. of Indianhead, spotted at 8K by an other a/c.In background, another one into the WT C. Both item s also recounted byDoug to John.1350:12: Johnto Doug: UA 93 was rocking his wings as he went by the VFR aircraft.They don't know quite what that means.

8/14/2019 Transcript of FAA Open Line on 9/11

5/10

S I D E 2 E a s t N T M OTime now 1401Z1403:10: Background: 77? Confirm ed? NY? (Not clear)1404:02: Doug to John: Secret Service is saying there is a Northw est airline inboundfrom Pittsburgh to DC that is unaccounted for. John: We'11 track itdown1404:25: John to Doug: American 77, Indiana State Police reported the aircraft m ayhave gone down on boundary between Ohio and Kentucky, Cincinnatiarea, we are waiting fo r confirmation.1406:00: Background: UA93, we know about that one. Background: Northwestaircraft out of Pittsburgh for DC .1406:24: Doug to John, They confused that, they think the Northwest now is theUA93. John: The 93 we are now receiving a transponder on he is at8200 feet, SE bound still.1407:18: Background: D isregard the Northwest flight, they have it confused it isUnited 931407:42: John to Doug: OK, we have lost radar contact with United 93, 16 S ofJohnstown is where they lost United 93 turning to a 140 heading.1408:42: Do ug to John: How w e doing getting the stuff down? (Discussion)1409:24: John to Dou g: There is now on that Un ited 93, there is a report of blacksmoke in the last position I gave you, speculating it is from the aircraft,who hit the ground. Speculation only.1410:00: Unknow n: How about Am erican 77 reported by the Indianapolis StatePolice? To Mike: Did you hear anything about Am erican 77 update?Still on the border between K entucky and O hio, possibly.1411:26: Doug to John: Do we have anything on Delta 1989? John: Returning toCleveland, no longer a hijack.1411:48: John to Doug: Last reported position of UA93, coordinates: 3951N 07846W,last known of United 93.1414:00: John to Doug: Dow n to 2100 tracks in Un ited States, if you care about that.Doug: Most of those out west.

8/14/2019 Transcript of FAA Open Line on 9/11

6/10

8/14/2019 Transcript of FAA Open Line on 9/11

7/10

1425:12: Background: Discussion re COG for FAA g o to the other place?1425:16: Jeff to John: United 175 what's the status. John: Let me see. Jeff: John,we're not working anything else we're okay as far as suspects, exceptfor 175.1425:54: John to Doug: The manager of O'Hare TRAC ON apparently has order theTower and TRACO N evacuated. W e need someone down there sayingcease and desist, we got aircraft going to Chicago. Dou g: For crying outloud.1426:12: John: UA 175is not being tracked at this time, I don't have an update.1426:36: Dou g to John: Peter is on his way down to tell Can oles to the controllers, themanagers to stay, Chicago.1426:54: John to Doug: W e have either ATC Zero status or evacuations at N90 ZN Y,Dulles Tower, and National To wer.. .che cking status of Balimore.1427:12: John t o ? ? : Can you get me the status of UA 175. To Doug United isassumed to be 2d aircraft that crashed into the WTC. Doug: 2d or 3d?John: 2d1428:03: Bac kgroun d: I think we need to go to Monte thru Jane and find out what theywant to release. (Discussion continues)1429:10: Ba ckgro und: Is that another aircraft? Both towers down. They think the top

of the tower collapsed, I hope.1429:24: Background Have we found that Am erican. That was American 77. How dowe get tracking over M issouri1429:42: Jeff: M an o man o man. John to Jeff: Did you verify th e LincolnMemorial? Jeff: N o.1430:18: Background: Tell Ben that Monte ordered Ch icago people back to facilities1431:30: Doug to John: Canavan, ACS 1, is trying to get into D C, we're telling him

either to go to Ma rtinsburg or Richmond. John: I don' t think they willopen up the airports for him . Richm ond might be good. Doug : DoJ istrying to get in. I told them no for National they will have to gosomewhere else. John: Right now National is an uncontrolled airport Isuppose they can go in if they want to. Doug: I Don't care if it is thePresident coming back we are going to keep them from going intoairports right now.

8/14/2019 Transcript of FAA Open Line on 9/11

8/10

1432:06: John to Doug: A P I is filing a random route by the way, w e don't know wherethey decided to go but they still do not have fighter escort. Dou g: Theystill do not? Holy Cow . Is the NMCC aware of this? Background: Anyone in touch with NMCC ?1432:42: Doug to John: Secret Service is reporting one unknown 8 miles out flying inbound. Tiger Watch.1433:15: John to Doug Legal has a N OTAM to ground stop the VFRs, which w ehave n't done yet. You guys need to issue that from downtown.1433:45: Doug to John: Do w e know who is talking to the F-16s trying to hook upw i t h A F l ? John: I'll try to find out.1434:18: Doug to John: Trying to tell Secret Service (on other line) about 93they area little bit behind, still getting reports.1434:36: John: Boston Center is now AT C Zero, Region ha s received a threat, goingdown to skeleton staffing.1434:45: Doug: G o ahead, ground stop the V FRs background order given to Lorraine1435:10 Do ug to John: Secret S ervice is saying the aircraft they are talking is comingup the Potomac right now.1435:26: Doug to John: We're not talking to any aircraft in that area [Potomac]. John:Not that we are aware of.1435:36: John: Secretary of State, N4, in Cleveland airspace wants to land atAndrew s, shall we approve that. D oug: A h Christ, hang on a second.Backg round to Dave [Canoles] to get perm ission. Let him come.1436:06: Doug: OK Secret Service is saying they believe United 93 hit Camp David.That is what Secret Service is reporting. Back ground: Good thingGeorge wasn' t there.1436:40: Do ug: At 10:28 am (on the tape) Secret Service confirm ing that UA 93 did gointo Camp David.1437:00: Background: Confirmed it hit Camp David.1437:30: Doug to John: Extended Philadelphia availability discussion.1438:18: Bac kgrou nd: We think Am erican 77 wen t into the ground on the state linebetween Ohio and Kentucky

8/14/2019 Transcript of FAA Open Line on 9/11

9/10

1438:30: Ba ckgro und: Is Continental 321 out of Chicago squared away?1438:48: Background: Camp David. Someone call Indy Center and see if they havean update. [AA77 reference??]1439:12: Background: OK we have pretty muc h effected a SCAT ANA here.1440:36: Bac kground : W e had a report earlier that the Indiana State Pol ice ...1440:48: Doug to John: W e need to get helicopters out of the air space1441:36: Background N 4 discussion [AG]. Administrator says we'll let N4 andAdjutant General land at Andrews as long as we tell him there are nocontrollers.1441:54: Jeff: I need a POC in each center east of M ississippi. I'll give you the name

of a personCapt Meyers, CINCLA NTFLE ET wants a mil itary FAAliaison PO C in each center that he can talk to.1442:30: Jeff: Have we activated the services cell? Yes.1443:30: Background: Status report re AA 11 e t a l (faint)1443:48: Doug to John: Jeff wants make sure for Boston Center we keep controllersthere. John: W e have gone down to one per area.1444:03: Background: Hey Ben [Slaney], I don't know how you are going to do this

but we need to shut down helicopters in Wash area, how do w e do that?Background status discussion, AA 77 w e think went into th e ground nearOhio State-Kentucky border?1444:30: Dou g to John: A me rican Airlines is saying that the last contact they had,they think Am erican 77 was the second aircraft into the w orld tradecenter and he wasn' t the one that went down on the O hio Kentucky stateline they think the last time they talked to him in New York. We need tovalidate that som ehow.1444:48: Doug to John: So Secret Service is more screwed up than we are? You

there?1445:15: Doug to John: Secret Service now is reversing their call they think the Uniteddid go in south of Johnstown and not at Cam p David. John: W e can'treverse our calls on these things. Dou g: So they are worse than w e are.

8/14/2019 Transcript of FAA Open Line on 9/11

10/10

1446:54: Doug to John: U A 1 8 2 Secret Service is saying is missing, find out for me,Boston to Seattle. John: Did we pass the LA information, I'm gettingpages? Doug: Don't worry about the pages I gave it to Jane and Monte.John: Thank God1447:24: Recap Doug-John. American 77, Ohio/Ky state line. A m erican 11, 1 st intoWTC. United 175, 2d into WTC, we think. United 93 went down 16South of Johnstown [n o mention of Pentagon]. That's all we have,American is saying that they think A merican 77 was the second one intothe W orld Trade Center. Continental 321 on ground at Peoria, FBIapproaching the air craft at this time.1448:18: Background: Secret Service is reporting it differently.1448:48: Doug to John: Getting a ping on CIA needing tonot secure, can't talkabout i tmay need to get a plane out. I jus t got my head handed to me.

10