Narrative:Flight 77 departed Washington-Dulles at 08:10 for Los Angeles. The aircraft was hijacked by five terrorists. The hijackers took over control, reportedly switched off the transponder and changed course to Washington. Last reported data (08:56) show the aircraft flying at FL350 at 458 knots. Course was changed back to Washington and the aircraft descended for the city, approaching from the North. The Boeing reportedly passed overhead the White House and entered a tight 270deg turn, heading for the US Department of Defence building (the Pentagon). It clipped trees and lightposts before slamming into the Southwest face of the Pentagon. An explosion occurred and the building caught fire.
Accident investigation:
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Investigating agency: | NTSB |
Status: | Investigation completed |
Duration: | 4 years and 6 months | Accident number: | DCA01MA064 | Download report: | Summary report
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Classification:
Pilot or passenger suicide
Hijack
Deliberately crashed
Sources:
» Aviation Week & Space Technology 17.09.2001
»
ATC transcript American Airlines Flight 77 / NTSB»
Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States»
Flight Path Study American Airlines Flight 77 / NTSB»
American Airlines Flight 77 FDR Report / NTSB
Photos
accident date:
11-09-2001type: Boeing 757-223
registration: N644AA
accident date:
11-09-2001type: Boeing 757-223
registration: N644AA
accident date:
11-09-2001type: Boeing 757-223
registration: N644AA
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Washington-Dulles International Airport, DC to Los Angeles International Airport, CA as the crow flies is 3649 km (2281 miles).
Accident location: Exact; deduced from official accident report.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.