Fall and Rise

by Mitchell Zuckoff

  Chapter 1: “Quiet’s a Good Thing”

  1. “Dad, I need help”: This account of the Ogonowski family on September 10, 2001, comes primarily from an interview with Margaret “Peg” Ogonowski Hatch on January 27, 2017, with some details and phrases taken from Mitchell Zuckoff, “Six Lives: Reliving The Morning of Death,” The Boston Globe, September 16, 2001, p. A1.

  2. a program John felt passionate about: Interview with Peg Ogonowski Hatch. Also see Caroline Louise Cole, “Immigrant Farmers Return to the Land, Growing Asian Foods,” The Boston Globe, July 25, 1999, South Weekly Section, p. 1.

  3. “These guys are putting more care”: Caroline Louise Cole, “Immigrant Farmers Return to the Land, Growing Asian Foods,” Boston Globe, July 25, 1999, South Weekly Section, p. 1.

  4. vibrant young woman slalomed: The story of the Hanson family comes from interviews with C. Lee and Eunice Hanson, February 22, 2017 and follow-up interview phone calls; transcript of C. Lee Hanson’s testimony at Moussaoui trial; FBI interviews with C. Lee Hanson, September 11, 2001 and June 20, 2002. Also Brian McGrory, “Up From the Ashes,” Boston Globe, September 11, 2011.

  5. joining the faculty: Albert Lin, “Young Promise Turned to Tragedy in Sept. 11 Hijackings,” The Korea Herald, October 6, 2001.

  6. Washington Journal: Video of September 9, 2001, edition of CSPAN show, https://www.c-span.org/video/?165914-2/news-review&start=2217.

  7. at forty-five: Neil A. Lewis, “Barbara Olson, 45, Advocate and Conservative Commentator,” New York Times, September 13, 2001; video interview of Theodore Olson at the Hudson Union Society, www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ppFvUc10nc; Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts, “Napa Nuptials For Olson and His Lady,” Washington Post, October 22, 2006.

  8. at their home in Virginia: Toby Harnden, “She Asked Me How to Stop the Plane,” The Telegraph, March 5, 2002.

  9. CeeCee Lyles: Linda Shrieves, “CeeCee Lyles Was Soaring Through Life, Then Destiny Came Calling,” Orlando Sentinel, September 29, 2001. Testimony of Lorne Lyles at Moussaoui trial, transcript pp. 3503–16. Also FBI interviews with Lorne Lyles, September 12, 2001; Carrie Louise Ross, October 5, 2001; and “Flight Crew: CeeCee Lyles,” (Pittsburgh) Post-Gazette, October 28, 2001.

  10. “Man! She is beautiful”: Flight 93 Memorial Oral History Transcript, interview with Lorne Lyles, October 25, 2006, conducted by Kathie Shaffer. The Flight 93 Memorial Oral History Transcripts are held by the National Park Service at the Flight 93 Memorial in Somerset County, PA.

  11. “everything and nothing”: Dennis B. Roddy et al., “Flight 93: Forty Lives, One Destiny,” (Pittsburgh) Post-Gazette, October 28, 2001.

  12. a full plate: Interview with Kevin Nasypany, March 20, 2017.

  13. leading defenseman: Rich Thompson, “Hockey’s Dismal Season Raises Questions,” Michigan Journal, March 29, 1978, p. 7.

  14. potential national security threats: 9/11 Commission Report, pp. 14–15.

  15. a sharp drop: 9/11 Commission Staff Interview with General Richard Myers, NORAD Commander in Chief, February 17, 2004.

  16. on-alert fighter jets: Ibid.

  17. a plot by terrorists: Interview with Kevin Nasypany, March 20, 2017.

  18. “really quiet in here”: Ibid.

  19. polo shirt: Video cameras at a Walmart in Portland, Maine, captured Atta’s image and clothing on September 10, 2001. The images were later distributed by the FBI.

  20. flimsy vinyl Travelpro suitcase: FBI interview with Lynn Howland, October 13, 2001. Howland, a first officer with American Airlines, encountered a man she identified as Atta at Logan Airport the morning of September 11, 2001. Based on his dress and his question about whether she would be flying Flight 11 to Los Angeles, she thought he might be a pilot. She recalled his bag, according to the FBI, as “black vinyl, round top, and incredibly cheap.”

  21. room 308: 9/11 Commission Memorandum for the Record, titled “Boston, Massachusetts, Summary,” prepared by Quinn John Tamm Jr., February 2, 2004, p. 6.

  22. early childhood: Terry McDermott, Perfect Soldiers (New York: HarperCollins, 2005), pp. 12–14.

  23. raising him like a girl: Neil MacFarquhar, “A Nation Challenged: The Mastermind; A Portrait of the Terrorist: From Shy Child to Single-Minded Killer,” New York Times, October 10, 2001.

  24. doctor and a professor: FBI document, “American Airlines Flight #11,” FBI PENTTBOM Investigation, April 19, 2002, p. 02998.

  25. joined a trade group: Peter Finn, “A Fanatic’s Quiet Path to Terror,” Washington Post, September 22, 2001.

  26. high enough grades: McDermott, p. 19.

  27. became a fixture: McDermott, p. 34; 9/11 Commission Staff Statement No. 16, “Outline of the 9/11 Plot,” pp. 3–4.

  28. “throats slit”: Douglas Frantz and Desmond Butler, “Imam at German Mosque Preached Hate to 9/11 Pilots,” New York Times, July 16, 2002.

  29. Islamic scriptures: McDermott, p. 54.

  30. private Christian schools: McDermott, p. 50.

  31. Beirut discos: 9/11 Commission Report, p. 163.

  32. pledged bayat: 9/11 Commission Staff Statement No. 16, “Outline of the 9/11 Plot,” p. 4.

  33. suicide hijacking plot: 9/11 Commission Report, pp. 145–50.

  34. met bin Laden: 9/11 Commission Staff Statement No. 16, “Outline of the 9/11 Plot,” p. 2.

  35. “Look down there”: Benjamin Weiser, “Suspected Chief Plotter in Trade Center Blast Goes on Trial Today,” New York Times, August 4, 1997.

  36. ten planes: 9/11 Commission Staff Statement No. 16, “Outline of the 9/11 Plot,” p. 13.

  37. tactical commander: 9/11 Commission Report, p. 167.

  38. thirty-one flight schools: 9/11 Commission Report, p. 168.

  39. Before they applied for visas: 9/11 Commission Report, p. 168.

  40. Hani Hanjour: 9/11 Commission Staff Statement No. 16, “Outline of the 9/11 Plot,” pp. 6–7.

  41. handpicked them: 9/11 Commission Staff Statement No. 16, “Outline of the 9/11 Plot,” pp. 8–9.

  42. weren’t especially imposing: 9/11 Commission Staff Statement No. 16, “Outline of the 9/11 Plot,” p. 8.

  43. generally avoiding trouble: One member of al-Qaeda to whom this didn’t apply was Zacarias Moussaoui, who was arrested in Minnesota in August 2001 on immigration charges by members of the FBI and the Immigration and Naturalization Service. At the time of his arrest, according to court filings, he was in possession of two knives, flight manuals for the Boeing 747 model 400, a flight simulator computer program, shin guards, fighting gloves, and a handheld aviation radio, among other items.

  44. “muscle” group members: 9/11 Commission Staff Statement No. 16, “Outline of the 9/11 Plot,” pp. 5–6.

  45. Experienced jihadists: 9/11 Commission Report, p. 155.

  46. identified Mihdhar: 9/11 and Terrorist Travel Monograph, 9/11 Commission, Staff Report, August 21, 2004, p. 10.

  47. terrorist watchlist: The intelligence failures surrounding Mihdhar and Hazmi remain significant and troubling. They are discussed at length in the 9/11 Commission Report, pp. 269–72, and examined in detail by Summers and Swan in The Eleventh Day, pp. 375–88. Also see the Inspector General’s review of FBI handling of information prior to the 9/11 attacks, https://oig.justice.gov/special/0506/chapter5.htm.

  48. other countries: Office of the Inspector General, “A Review of the FBI’s Handling of Intelligence Information Prior to the September 11 Attacks,” Chapter 5, Footnote 115, released publicly June 2005. https://oig.justice.gov/special/0506/chapter5.htm#115.

  49. “individual and systemic failings”: See Chapter 5 of “A Review of the FBI’s Handling of Intelligence Information Related to the September 11 Attacks,” Office of the Inspector General, released publicly June 2006. https://oig.justice.gov/special/s0606/chapter5.htm#IIIF.

  50. no interest in takeoffs or landings: 9/11 Commission Staff Statement No. 16, “Outline of the 9/11 Plot,” p. 14.

  51. cross-country flights: 9/11 Commission Staff Statement No. 16
, “Outline of the 9/11 Plot,” pp. 9–11.

  52. became frustrated: 9/11 Commission Staff Statement No. 16, “Outline of the 9/11 Plot,” p. 18. This information is based on interrogations of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and alleged plot facilitator Ramzi Binalshibh, so should be considered accordingly.

  53. Battle of Vienna: Wright, p. 194; also see Christopher Hitchens, “Why the Suicide Killers Chose September 11,” The Guardian, October 3, 2001.

  54. computers in public libraries: This fact led to a controversial provision of Public Law 107-56, 115 Stat. 272 (2001), the so-called PATRIOT Act, that required librarians to hand over patron reading and computer records to law enforcement.

  55. less than half a million dollars: The 9/11 Commission report concluded that the attacks cost between $400,000 and $500,000, including $270,000 spent inside the United States. Other costs included “travel to obtain passports and visas, travel to the United States, expenses incurred by the plot leader and facilitators outside the United States, and expenses incurred by the people selected to be hijackers who ultimately did not participate.” That total did not include the cost of running camps in Afghanistan where the plotters trained. See pp. 14, 169, 172, and 499.

  56. Sweet Temptations: 9/11 Commission Memorandum for the Record, titled “Boston, Massachusetts, Summary,” prepared by Quinn John Tamm Jr., February 2, 2004, p. 3.

  57. private dance: Laura Mansnerus and David Kocieniewski, “A Hub for Hijackers Found in New Jersey,” New York Times, September 27, 2001.

  58. single-engine plane: FBI document, “Translation of the interview conducted by German authorities of the girlfriend of Ziad Jarrah, September 18, 2001.”

  59. threw Jarrah out: Ibid.

  60. mail a letter: A mistake on the address caused the package containing the letter to be returned, after which the FBI seized it and had it translated. Dirk Laabs and Terry McDermott, “Prelude to 9/11: A Hijacker’s Love, Lies,” Los Angeles Times, January 27, 2003. Also see FBI document, “Translation of the interview conducted by German authorities of the girlfriend of Ziad Jarrah, September 18, 2001.”

  61. private pilot’s license: FBI “Final Movements” document, Exhibit ST0001 01-455-A, Part B, introduced at Moussaoui trial, p. 82; Summers and Swan, p. 149.

  62. received a commercial pilot’s license: FBI document, “Summary of Penttbom Investigation,” February 29, 2004, p. 20. https://vault.fbi.gov/9-11%20Commission%20Report/9-11-fbi-report-2004-02(feb). FBI Summary of Penttbom Investigation, February 29, 2004, p. 20.

  63. videotaped lessons: FBI memorandum on Atta’s suitcases, February 10, 2004.

  64. a four-page letter: FBI document, “Summary of Penttbom Investigation,” February 29, 2004, p. 69. https://vault.fbi.gov/9-11%20Commission%20Report/9-11-fbi-report-2004-02(feb). This document describes it as a four-page letter, although elsewhere it is said to be five pages.

  65. detailed instructions: Translation of “The Last Night” letter, introduced as Government Exhibit BS01101T, 01-455-A, at Moussaoui trial.

  66. copies of the same letter: On September 28, 2001, Attorney General John Ashcroft held a news conference where he described the letter and reported that copies were found in Atta’s suitcase, which never made Flight 11; amid the wreckage of Flight 93; and in a car left at Dulles Airport by Flight 77 hijacker Nawaf al-Haznawi.

  67. believed to have written: McDermott, p. 232.

  Chapter 2: “He’s NORDO”

  1. 1.8 million passengers: 9/11 Commission Staff Monograph, “Four Flights and Civil Aviation Security,” September 12, 2005, p. 60. (Hereafter: Four Flights Monograph.) Link at: www.archives.gov/research/9-11/staff-monographs.html.

  2. early train: Interview with Michael Woodward, February 2, 2017. Elements of Woodward’s account also come from his FBI interview on September 12, 2001, and his 9/11 Commission interview on January 25, 2004.

  3. Betty Ong: Interview with Cathie Ong-Herrera, January 16, 2017; interview with Michael Woodward, February 2, 2017; and multiple FBI 302s of Interest re Flight 11.

  4. Chinese opera: Interview with Cathie Ong-Herrera, January 16, 2017.

  5. Kathleen “Kathy” Nicosia: FBI 302s, Homer file re Kathleen Nicosia. FBI interview with Nancy Wyatt, September 15, 2001.

  6. Around 7:15 a.m.: Some preflight times are approximate, based on recollections of individuals. Not all activities during preflight preparation are logged by time.

  7. Shawn Trotman: FBI interview, September 16, 2001.

  8. an hour earlier: Flight 11 had previously been Flight 198, which arrived at approximately 6:06 a.m. FBI interview with ramp service manager Salvatore Misuraca, September 17, 2001.

  9. 76,400 pounds: Trotman told the FBI he filled the wings with 76,000 pounds of fuel, but the 9/11 Commission “Four Flights Monograph” put the amount at 76,400, p. 7.

  10. forty-foot fire truck: FAMA Emergency Vehicle Size and Weight Regulation Guideline, p. 9. https://fama.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/1441593313_55ecf7e17d32d.pdf, accessed February 2, 2017.

  11. landing gear: FBI interview with cleaning crew member Wayne Kirk, September 12, 2001. Kirk said he left the plane between 7 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., as the captain was outside checking the landing gear.

  12. Madeline “Amy” Sweeney: FBI interview with Michael Sweeney, September 20, 2001. Details of the call regarding her daughter come from multiple sources, including Sally Heaney, “Separate Lives Joined By Shared Loss,” Boston Globe, September 11, 2003.

  13. Candace Lee Williams: “Portraits of Grief: Candace Lee Williams,” New York Times, November 30, 2001.

  14. Robert Norton: Rachael Rees, “Area Man’s Sister Was on Fatal Flight,” (Oregon) Bulletin, September 10, 2001.

  15. Daniel Lee: “Allison Lee, Whose Dad Died on 9/11 on His Way to See Her Being Born,” People, September 12, 2016.

  16. Cora Hidalgo Holland: Marcella Bombardieri, “Four Families’ Enduring Grief,” Boston Globe, September 11, 2002.

  17. Berry Berenson: Amanda Hopkinson, “Berry Berenson,” The Guardian, September 14, 2001.

  18. Alexander Filipov: “Portraits of Grief: Alexander Filipov,” New York Times, October 8, 2001.

  19. Pendyala “Vamsi” Vamsikrishna: Steve Lopez, “When Love Stands Bravely Against Unbearable Grief,” Los Angeles Times, October 24, 2001.

  20. didn’t rattle easily: Background on Tara Creamer comes from interviews with John Creamer, Colin Creamer, Nora Creamer, Gerry Creamer, Julie Creamer, and Tina Creamer, January 27, 2017. Also from several follow-up telephone interviews with John Creamer and information from Mitchell Zuckoff, “Six Lives: Reliving the Morning of Death,” Boston Globe, September 16, 2001, p. A1.

  21. run a 5K race: Richard Chacon and Charles M. Sennott, “Neilie Heffernan Casey, 32,” Boston Globe, September 21, 2001.

  22. saying hi for him: Holly Ramer, “Survivors of 9/11 Victims Look for Meaning and Find Ways to Move Forward,” The Associated Press, September 11, 2002.

  23. David Retik: “Portraits of Grief: David Retik,” New York Times, November 17, 2001.

  24. Richard Ross: “Portraits of Grief: Richard Ross,” New York Times, September 8, 2002.

  25. worst day of his life: FBI interview with unidentified American Airlines gate agent, September 14, 2001.

  26. Sonia Puopolo: Interview with Sonia Tita Puopolo, January 20, 2017.

  27. “gratitude list”: Interview with Allan Hackel, January 28, 2017.

  28. David Angell: Unbylined story, “David Angell, 54; A Creator and Writer for “Frasier” Sitcom,” New York Times, September 14, 2001.

  29. “American Flight 11”: Frasier episode “Odd Man Out,” aired May 21, 1997. Script found at www.kacl780.net/frasier/transcripts/season_4/episode_24/odd_man_out.html.

  30. $400 million deal: FBI interview with Anne Lewin, September 21, 2001.

  31. hundred times that price: Hiawatha Bray, “A Lost Spirit Still Inspires,” Boston Globe, September 4, 2011. For a full account of Lewin’s remarkable life, see Molly Knight Raskin, No Better
Time (Boston: Da Capo Press, 2013).

  32. roundabout route: 9/11 Commission Staff Monograph, “Four Flights and Civilian Aviation Security,” September 12, 2005, http://www.archives.gov/legislative/research/9-11/staff-report-sept2005.pdf (hereafter: Four Flights Monograph), p. 2.

  33. One possibility: Four Flights Monograph, pp. 3–4.

  34. innocuous items: FBI Memo on Atta’s suitcases, February 10, 2004.

  35. clenched his jaw: Four Flights Monograph, p. 2.

  36. 5:45 a.m.: Four Flights Monograph, p. 3.

  37. stern expression: A security image of Mohamed Atta and Abdulaziz al-Omari passing through security at the Portland jetport was introduced as evidence at the Moussaoui trial.