Pilot Skills and Airlines Speeds on 9/11: Debunking False Claims

The tragic events of September 11, 2001, still captivate the collective consciousness of the world. One of the central questions that often arises is the speed of the planes as they crashed into the World Trade Center towers. Conspiracy theories have perpetuated a narrative of unskilled pilots and seemingly impossible conditions. However, the factual evidence and expert assessments tell a very different story.

Speed of the Planes on Impact

According to reliable sources and estimates based on MIT assessments, the planes involved in the 9/11 attacks were traveling at extremely high speeds. United Airlines Flight 175, which struck the South Tower, was estimated to be traveling at around 590 mph (950 km/h) at the moment of impact. Conversely, American Airlines Flight 11, which hit the North Tower, was traveling at approximately 466 mph (750 km/h).

These figures are not mere approximations but are based on meticulous calculations and evidence. In 2002, an MIT assessment provided detailed information on the speed of the planes relative to the ground at the moment of impact, corroborating the widely circulated estimates.

The Speed and Complexity of the Attacks

The speed at which the planes approached the towers has often been scrutinized, with some suggesting it was unfeasible for any pilot to fly so fast at such low altitudes. Critics point out that the time taken for both planes to traverse the width of Manhattan Island before hitting the buildings is less than 90 seconds, leading to questions about the pilots' skills.

However, the footage of the tragic events reveals the planes' incredible speed and precision. The impact of the planes with the towers was devastating, with the first plane hitting the North Tower at around 500 mph and the second plane at close to 600 mph. This speed and precision are not easily achieved, even by highly skilled pilots.

Counterarguments and Expert Opinions

The debate over pilot skills often involves comments from experts and enthusiasts who question the feasibility of the pilots' abilities. Cameron Fraser, a pilot himself, asserts in his now famous Quora answer that hitting a large building from such a high speed and low altitude is not particularly difficult.

Fraser argues:

"Any claim that it would be particularly difficult to hit a building is nonsense. The buildings get bigger as you get closer and the maneuvering required to hit a large building is not difficult. Put me in a simulator and give me ten minutes, and I could teach a non-pilot to do it. And no, I won’t let you post ridiculous and false claims on my answer."

Fraser's statement is a strategic combination of truth and hyperbole. While it is true that buildings appear larger and more maneuvering is required, it is unlikely that even a highly skilled pilot could hit the aimed targets at such speeds. Additionally, hitting two large structures with such precision points to the skills of the hijackers rather than unskilled pilots.

Another point to consider is that the impact of the planes was not just one-on-one crashes but highly coordinated hits. The planes hit the towers so precisely that the attacks were not mere collisions but deliberate strikes, a fact that further emphasizes the skill and intent of the pilots involved.

Conclusion

The speed and skill demonstrated by the planes on September 11, 2001, are irrefutable facts. The estimates of the planes' speeds and the precision of the attacks leave little room for doubt. Many of the claims made by conspiracy theorists are based on misunderstandings and over-simplifications of the events.

The evidence from MIT assessments, the footage of the attacks, and the testimonials from experts all point to highly skilled pilots and planes traveling at extremely high speeds. Dismissing these facts as unfeasible or the result of unskilled pilots is to misrepresent the true nature of the events that unfolded on that tragic day.