The controller checked to see if American Airlines could establish commu-
nication with American 11. He became even more concerned as its route
changed, moving into another sector's airspace. Controllers immediately began
to move aircraft out of its path, and asked other aircraft in the vicinity to look
for American 11.
108
At 8:24:38, the following transmission came from American 11:
American 11:
We have some planes. Just stay quiet, and you'll be okay.
We are returning to the airport.
The controller only heard something unintelligible; he did not hear the spe-
cific words "we have some planes." The next transmission came seconds later:
American 11:
Nobody move. Everything will be okay. If you try to make
any moves, you'll endanger yourself and the airplane. Just stay quiet.
109
The controller told us that he then knew it was a hijacking. He alerted his
supervisor, who assigned another controller to assist him. He redoubled his
efforts to ascertain the flight's altitude. Because the controller didn't understand
the initial transmission, the manager of Boston Center instructed his quality
assurance specialist to "pull the tape" of the radio transmission, listen to it
closely, and report back.
110
Between 8:25 and 8:32, in accordance with the FAA protocol, Boston Cen-
ter managers started notifying their chain of command that American 11 had
been hijacked.At 8:28, Boston Center called the Command Center in Herndon
to advise that it believed American 11 had been hijacked and was heading toward
New York Center's airspace.
By this time, American 11 had taken a dramatic turn to the south. At 8:32,
the Command Center passed word of a possible hijacking to the Operations
Center at FAA headquarters.The duty officer replied that security personnel
at headquarters had just begun discussing the apparent hijack on a conference
call with the New England regional office. FAA headquarters began to follow
the hijack protocol but did not contact the NMCC to request a fighter
escort.
111
The Herndon Command Center immediately established a teleconfer-
ence between Boston, New York, and Cleveland Centers so that Boston
Center could help the others understand what was happening.
112
At 8:34, the Boston Center controller received a third transmission from
American 11:
American 11:
Nobody move please.We are going back to the airport.
Don't try to make any stupid moves.
113
"WE HAVE SOME PLANES"
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