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NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARDOffice of Research and Engineering a^
Washington, D.C. 20594 *
February 19, 2002
Flight Path Study - United Airlines Flight 93
A. SUBJECT AIRCRAFT
Location: Shanksville, PADate: September 11, 2001Time: 10:03 AM Eastern Daylight TimeFlight: United Airlines Flight 93Aircraft: Boeing 757-200, registration: N591UANTSB#: DCA01MA065
B. GROUP
N/A
C. SUMMARY
This document provides a brief description of the flight path of the aircraft basedon information obtained from various sources of recorded radar of the subjectaircraft both before and after the hijacking events. Information from the FlightData Recorder (FDR) recovered on scene is also used to develop thedescription. Flight paths are overlaid onto maps of the area, and time historiesof altitude data are presented
United Airlines Flight 93 - Flight Profile
The following profile of United Airlines Flight 93 is based on data from the flightdata recorder (FDR) recovered from the crash site, as well as radar dataobtained from the Federal Aviation Administration's Air Route Traffic ControlCenters and the U.S. Air Force 84th Radar Evaluation Squadron.
Figure 1 shows the flight path of the aircraft from take off at Newark, NJ to thecrash site near Johnstown, PA. Figure 2 shows the aircraft's altitude profile forthe 1 hour and 21 minute duration of the flight.
United flight 93 departed Newark, NJ at 8:42 am (point A in Figures 1 and 2) andreached its assigned cruising altitude of 35,000 feet at about 9:02 am (B). Theflight appears normal until a brief descent of about 600 feet starting at 9:28 (C).The words "get out of here" and sounds of a struggle were recorded on the airtraffic control radio at FAA's Cleveland Center facility at this time. The CockpitVoice Recorder (CVR) onboard the airplane began providing sounds from thecockpit at approximately 9:32. At 9:34 (D) the airplane starts to climb from35,000 feet, and shortly thereafter begins a left turn to a Southeast heading of120° with the autopilot in heading select mode. The airplane maintained amaximum altitude of 41,000 feet for about 2 minutes and then starteddescending at about 9:39 (E), with the autopilot in vertical speed mode and at adescent rate of 4,000 feet/minute. Radar stations stopped receiving transponderreturns from UAL93 at approximately 9:41.
There was a brief interruption in the descent at 9:46 (F) as the airplane climbedfrom 19,000 feet to 20,500 feet before resuming its descent, but at a slower rate(1,300 feet/minute). At about 9:57 the airplane started a left turn to the east. At9:59 (G) the airplane was at 5,000 feet when about 2 minutes of rapid, full leftand right control wheel inputs resulted in multiple 30 degree rolls to the left andright. From approximately 10:00 to 10:02 there were four distinct control columninputs that caused the airplane to pitch nose-up (climb) and nose-down (dive)aggressively. During this time the airplane climbed to about 10,000 feet whileturning to the right. The airplane then pitched nose-down and rolled to the rightin response to flight control inputs, and impacted the ground at about 490 knots(563 mph) in a 40 degree nose-down, inverted attitude. The time of impact was10:03:11.
RitterChief, Vehicle Performance DivisionNTSB
T
Figure 1. UA-93 Radar Ground Track
OoO01
•S'o
A - UAL 93 takes off from Newark, NJ at 0842 EOT.B - UAL 93 levels off at assigned altitude of 35,000 ft.C - 600 foot deviation from assigned altitude (assumed takeover point.)D - Starts climb to 41,000 feet, then turns towards Southeast.E -At max altitude of 41,000 feet; xponder returns cease 2 m in. later.F - Brief interruption in descent.G - Rapid control wheel inputs; aircraft starts climbing.H -Aircraft noses down and starts rapid descent.I - Aircraft aircraft impacts the ground inverted and at high speed.
Q LJ 010:03:11 AM
I
Figure 2. UA-93 Altitude Profile45000
40000 -
_ 25000 -Q>
3 20000 -
A - UAL 93 takes off from Newark, NJ at 0842 EOT.B - UAL 93 levels off at assigned altitude of 35,000 ft.C - 600 foot deviation from assigned altitude (assumed takeover point.)D -Starts climb to 41,000 feet, then turns towards Southeast.E - At max altitude of 41,000 feet; xponder returns cease 2 min. later.F - Brief interruption in descent.G - Rapid control wheel inputs; aircraft starts climbing.H -Aircraft noses down and starts rapid descent.I - Aircraft aircraft Impacts the ground inverted and at high speed.
08:30:00 08:40:00 08:50:00 09:00:00 09:10:00 09:20:00 09:30:00 09:40:00 09:50:00 10:00:00 10:
Eastern Daylight Time, HH:MM:SS (= UTC - 4 Hours)4
8:41:49 LC United ninety three wind three three zero at seven runway four left clearedfor takeoff. [EWR 1235-1247 LC]
8:41:53 UAL-93 cleared takeoff four left United ninety three. [EWR 1235-1247 LC]8:42:07 LC United ninety three. [EWR 1235-1247 LC]8:42:41 LC United ninety three contact departure. [EWR 1235-1247 LC]8:42:43 UAL-93 going to departure United ninety three good day. [EWR 1235-1247 LC]8:43:00 UAL-93 United ninety three fourteen hundred for twenty five hundred. [N90 1238-
1256 Newark Dept.]8:43:04 E155 United ninety three New York departure good morning radar contact climb
and maintain eight thousand and turn left heading three three zero vectorfor ELIOT. [N90 1238-1256 Newark Dept.]
8:43:12 UAL-93 eight thousand heading three three zero for ELIOT United ninety three.[N90 1238-1256 Newark Dept.]
8:43:48 E155 United ninety three turn left heading uh two eight zero. [N90 1238-1256Newark Dept.]
8:43:52 UAL-93 left two eighty United ninety three. [N90 1238-1256 Newark Dept.]8:44:34 E155 United ninety three climb and maintain one zero thousand. [N90 1238-1256
Newark Dept.]8:44:38 UAL-93 climb and maintain one zero thousand ten thousand United ninety three.
[N90 1238-1256 Newark Dept.]8:45:10 E155 United ninety three do not exceed two five zero knots. [N90 1238-1256
Newark Dept.]8:45:13 UAL-93 not exceed two fifty United ninety three. [N90 1238-1256 Newark Dept.]8:45:54 E155 United ninety three resume normal speed contact departure one three five
point three five. [N90 1238-1256 Newark Dept.]8:46:00 UAL-93 one three five three five normal speed good day United ninety three. [N90
1238-1256 Newark Dept.]8:46:18 UAL-93 United ninety three is with you one zero thousand, normal speed, heading
two eighty. [N90 1238-1256 Liberty West]8:46:23 B43 United ninety three departure good morning, climb maintain one four
thousand. [N90 1238-1256 Liberty West]8:46:26 UAL-93 climb maintain one four thousand United ninety three. [N90 1238-1256
Liberty West]8:48:03 B43 United ninety three right turn heading of ah three one zero. [N90 1238-1256
Liberty West]8:48:07 UAL-93 right heading three one zero United ninety three. [N90 1238-1256 Liberty
West]8:48:41 B43 United ninety three climb maintain one six thousand. [N90 1238-1256
Liberty West]8:48:44 UAL-93 climb maintain one six thousand United ninety three. [N90 1238-1256
Liberty West]8:49:31 B43 United ninety three climb maintain one seven thousand go direct ELIOT on
course. [N90 1238-1256 Liberty West]8:49:35 UAL-93 up to one seven thousand direct ELIOT United ninety three. [N90 1238-
1256 Liberty West]8:50.37 B43 United ninety three contact New York center one three two point one good
day. [N90 1238-1256 Liberty West]8:50:41 UAL-93 thirty two one good day United ninety three. [N90 1238-1256 Liberty West]8:50:57 UAL-93 and New York United ninety three with you one seven thousand. [ZNY
1245-1258 R39]8:51:03 R39 United ninety three New York center climb and maintain flight level two
eight zero. [ZNY 1245-1258 R39]8:51:07 UAL-93 maintain two eight oh United ninety three. [ZNY 1245-1258 R39]8:54:09 R39 United ninety three cleared direct DEMO. [ZNY 1245-1258 R39]8:54:12 UAL-93 direct DEMO United ninety three. [ZNY 1245-1258 R39]
8:54:53 R39
8:54:59 UAL-93
8:55:05 UAL-93
8:55:09 R738:57:12 R73
8:57:16 UAL-93
9:22:20 UAL-93
9:22:26 RA73
9:22:37 UAL-939:23:00 ACARS
9:23:05 UAL-93
9:23:14 FKL-R
9:23:56 FKL-R
9:24:00 UAL-93
9:24:20 UAL-93
9:25:06 UAL-939:25:08 LOR-R9:27:25 LOR-R
9:27:30 UAL-93
9:28:16 UAL-939:28:48 UAL-939:29:14 LOR-R9:29:20 LOR-R
9:29:34 LOR-R
9:29:40 LOR-R9:29:56 LOR-R9:30:03 LOR-R
9:30:58 LOR-R
9:31:55 UAL-93
9:32:05 LOR-R
9:35:36 LOR-R
United ninety three contact New York center one three three point fourcorrection New York center one thirty two eighty seven. [ZNY1245-1258R39]one thirty two eighty seven good day United uh ninety three. [ZNY 1245-1258R39]good morning New York United ninety three with you twenty five and a halffor two eight oh. [ZNY 1250-1328 R73]United ninety three New York center good morning. [ZNY 1250-1328 R73]United ninety three climb and maintain flight level three five zero. [ZNY1250-1328 R73]leaving two eight for three five oh United ninety three. [ZNY 1250-1328R73]United ninety three starting to pick up some light chop at thirty five, any ridereports? [ZNY 1308-1328 RA73]the ah first complained I've had and United ah ninety three, contact theCleveland center now on one three three point zero seven. [ZNY 1308-1328 RA73]thrity three oh seven United ninety three. [ZNY 1308-1328 RA73]BEWARE ANY COCKPIT INTROUSION. . TWO AIRCRAFT IN NY, HITTRADE CNTER BUILDSmorning Cleveland it's United ninety three with you at three five oh ahthere's some light chop here at thirty five any ride reports? [ZOB 13:01-13:31 Franklin-R]an no just a little light chop nothing worse than that United ninety three.[ZOB 13:01-13:31 Franklin-R]United ninety three Cleveland one three three three seven. [ZOB 1301-1331 Franklin-R]one three three three seven good day United ninety three. [ZOB 1301-1331Franklin-R]good morning Cleveland United ninety three is with you at three five ohintermittent light chop. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]United ninety three checking in three five oh. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]United ninety three three five zero roger. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]United ninety three that traffic for you is one o'clock twelve miles eastbound three seven zero. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]negative contact we're looking United ninety three. [ZOB 1314-1333Lorain-R]*** (mayday) *** (hey get out of here) ***. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]*** (get out of here) *** (get out of here). [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]United ninety three verify three five zero. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]United ninety three verify you're at flight level ah three five zero. [ZOB1314-1333 Lorain-R]United ninety three verify you're level at three five zero. [ZOB 1314-1333Lorain-R]United ninety three Cleveland. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]United ninety three Cleveland. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]United ninety three if you hear Cleveland center ident please. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]United ninety three Cleveland if you hear the center ident. [ZOB 1314-1333Lorain-R]*** please sit down, keep remaining seating, we have a bomb on board, so***. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]er uh calling Cleveland center you're unreadable say again slowly. [ZOB1314-1333 Lorain-R]ah United ninety three if able * ah squawk trip please. [ZOB 1333-1344
Lorain-R]9:36:51 LOR-R [Cleveland center announces that UAL93 is turning south and east and
climbing]. [ZOB 1333-1344 Lorain-R]9:39:10 UAL-93 ah this is the captain uh would like to all remain seated there is a bomb
aboard and we go back to the airport and to have our demands so pleaseremain quiet. [ZOB 1333-1344 Lorain-R]
9:39:19 LOR-R okay thats United ninety three calling? [ZOB 1333-1344 Lorain-R]9:39:24 LOR-R United ninety three understand you have a bomb on board go ahead. [ZOB
1333-1344 Lorain-R]9:40:04 LOR-R United ninety three go ahead. [ZOB 1333-1344 Lorain-R] _9:40:12 LOR-R United ninety three go ahead. [ZOB 1333-1344 Lorain-R] >9:41:01 LOR-R United ninety three do you hear Cleveland center? [ZOB 1333-1344 Lorain-
R]9:41:36 LOR-R [Cleveland center announces loss of transponder signal from UAL93] [ZOB
1333-1344 Lorain-R]9:45:29 LOR-R United ninety three Cleveland do you still hear the center? [ZOB 1344-
1400 Lorain-R]9:45:35 LOR-R United ninety three do you still hear Cleveland? [ZOB 1344-1400 Lorain-R]9:46:13 LOR-R United ninety three United ninerthree do you hear Cleveland? [ZOB 1344-
1400 Lorain-R]9:47:28 LOR-R United ninety three United ninety three Cleveland. [ZOB 1344-1400 Lorain-
R]9:48:39 LOR-R United ninety three United ninety three do you hear Cleveland center. [ZOB
1344-1400 Lorain-R]
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARDVehicle Recorders DivisionWashington, D.C. 20594
December 21, 2001
Air Traffic Control Recording
Specialist's Reportby Joseph A. Gregor
A. ACCIDENT
Location:
Date:
Time:1
Aircraft:
NTSB Number:
Shanksville, PA
September 11, 2001
Boeing 757
DCA01SA065
B. GROUP
N/A
C. SUMMARY
On September 11, 2001 United Airlines Flight 93, a Boeing 757 crashed near
Shanksville, PA. A certified analog copy of air traffic control (ATC) transmissions
recorded on September 11, 2001 at various tower, departure, and Air Route Traffic
Control Center (ARTCC) positions along the route of flight was sent to the audio
laboratory of the National Transportation Safety Board. These recordings were used to
create an audio and text transcript of the aircratt-ground communications from takeoff
to accident time.
- II -
D. DETAILS OF INVESTIGATION
Transmissions between the accident aircraft and ATC were recorded and an
analog copy was sent to the Safety Board's audio laboratory. The tapes cover the
following ATC positions and time periods:
Facility
EWRN90N90ZNYZNYZOBZOBZOBZOB
Time Period1 (UTC)
1235-12471238-12561238-12561245-12581250-13281301 -13311314-13331333-13441344-1400
Position
LCE155B43
Sector 39RSector 73R
FKL-RLOR-RLOR-RLOR-R
Sections of the tape recordings containing air-ground transmissions to and from the
incident aircraft were digitized at a 22,050 Samples/second data rate and saved as
standard Microsoft .wav files, individual .wav files were combined into a single 1 hour 3
minute 19 second long .wav file containing all transmissions to and from the incident
aircraft from 1241:49 UTC (aircraft cleared for takeoff) to 1348:47 UTC. A transcript
was obtained from the final composite recording. Times are approximate due to
limitations inherent in the data obtained from the FAA.
Joseph A. GregorElectrical Engineer
- Ill -
Transcript of ATC communications with a Boeing B-757 (United Airlines flight 93)which crashed near Shanksville, PA on September 11, 2001.
LEGEND
UAL-93 Radio transmission from United B-757, flight 93
LC Radio transmission from Local Control
E155 Radio transmission from Newark Departure
B43 Radio transmission from Liberty West
39R Radio transmission from Sector 39 Radar position
73R Radio transmission from Sector 73 Radar position
FKL-R Radio transmission from Franklin Radar position
LOR-R Radio transmission from Lorain Radar position
* Unintelligible word
# Expletive
( ) Questionable insertion
[ ] Editorial insertion
Pause
- Interruption
Note 1: Times are expressed in universal coordinated time (UTC).
Note 2: Only radio transmissions to and from the accident aircraft were transcribed.
Note 3: Words shown with excess vowels, letters, or drawn out syllables are a phonetic representation of the wordsas spoken.
Time (UTC)SOURCE
INTRA-COCKPIT COMMUNICATION
CONTENT
Page 1 of 10
AIRCRAFT-TO-GROUND COMMUNICATION
Time (UTC)SOURCE CONTENT
Start of recording
Start of transcript
1241:49*LC
1241:53*UAL-93
1242:07*LC
1242:41*LC
1242:43*UAL-93
1243:00UAL-93
United ninety three wind three three zero at sevenrunway four left cleared for takeoff. [EWR 1235-1247LC]
cleared takeoff four left United ninety three. [EWR 1235-1247LC]
United ninety three. [EWR 1235-1247 LC]
United ninety three contact departure. [EWR 1235-1247LC]
going to departure United ninety three good day. [EWR1235-1247 LC]
United ninety three fourteen hundred for twenty fivehundred. [N90 1238-1256 Newark Dept.]
Time (UTC)SOURCE
INTRA-COCKPIT COMMUNICATION
CONTENT
Page 2 of 10
AIRCRAFT-TO-GROUND COMMUNICATION
Time (UTC)SOURCE CONTENT
1243:04E155
1243:12UAL-93
1243:48E155
1243:52UAL-93
1244:34E155
1244:38UAL-93
1245:10E155
1245:13UAL-93
United ninety three New York departure good morningradar contact climb and maintain eight thousand andturn left heading three three zero vector for ELIOT. [N901238-1256 Newark Dept.]
eight thousand heading three three zero for ELIOTUnited ninety three. [N90 1238-1256 Newark Dept.]
United ninety three turn left heading uh two eight zero.[N90 1238-1256 Newark Dept.]
left two eighty United ninety three. [N90 1238-1256Newark Dept.]
United ninety three dimb and maintain one zerothousand. [N90 1238-1256 Newark Dept.]
climb and maintain one zero thousand ten thousandUnited ninety three. [N90 1238-1256 Newark Dept.]
United ninety three do not exceed two five zero knots.[N90 1238-1256 Newark Dept.]
not exceed two fifty United ninety three. [N90 1238-1256Newark Dept.]
Time (UTC)SOURCE
INTRA-COCKPIT COMMUNICATION
CONTENT
Page 3 of 10
AIRCRAFT-TO-GROUND COMMUNICATION
Time (UTC)SOURCE CONTENT
1245:54E155
1246:00UAL-93
1246:18*UAL-93
1246:23*B43
1246:26*UAL-93
1248:03*B43
1248:07*UAL-93
1248:41*B43
United ninety three resume normal speed contactdeparture one three five point three five. [N90 1238-1256 Newark Dept.]
one three five three five normal speed good day Unitedninety three. [N90 1238-1256 Newark Dept.]
United ninety three is with you one zero thousand,normal speed, heading two eighty. [N90 1238-1256Liberty West]
United ninety three departure good morning, climbmaintain one four thousand. [N90 1238-1256 LibertyWest]
climb maintain one four thousand United ninety three.[N90 1238-1256 Liberty West]
United ninety three right turn heading of ah three onezero. [N90 1238-1256 Liberty West]
right heading three one zero United ninety three. [N901238-1256 Liberty West]
United ninety three climb maintain one six thousand.[N90 1238-1256 Liberty West]
INTRA-COCKPIT COMMUNICATION
Page 4 of 10
AIRCRAFT-TO-GROUND COMMUNICATION
Time (UTC) Time (UTC)SOURCE CONTENT SOURCE
1248:44*UAL-93
1249:31*B43
1249:35*UAL-93
1250:37*B43
1250:41*UAL-93
1250:57*UAL-93
1251:03R39
1251:07UAL-93
1254:09*R39
CONTENT
climb maintain one six thousand United ninety three.[N90 1238-1256 Liberty West]
United ninety three climb maintain one seven thousandgo direct ELIOT on course. [N90 1238-1256 LibertyWest]
up to one seven thousand direct ELIOT United ninetythree. [N90 1238-1256 Liberty West]
United ninety three contact New York center one threetwo point one good day. [N90 1238-1256 Liberty West]
thirty two one good day United ninety three. [N90 1238-1256 Liberty West]
and New York United ninety three with you one seventhousand. [ZNY 1245-1 258 R39]
United ninety three New York center climb and maintainflight level two eight zero. [ZNY 1245-1258 R39]
maintain two eight oh United ninety three. {ZNY 1245-1258R39]
United ninety three cleared direct DEMO. [ZNY 1245-1258 R39]
Time (UTC)SOURCE
INTRA-COCKPIT COMMUNICATION
CONTENT
Page 5 of 10
AIRCRAFT-TO-GROUND COMMUNICATION
Time (UTC)SOURCE CONTENT
1254:12UAL-93
1254:53R39
1254:59*UAL-93
1255:05*UAL-93
1255:09*R73
1257:12*R73
1257:16*UAL-93
1322:20UAL-93
direct DEMO United ninety three. [ZNY 1245-1258 R39]
United ninety three contact New York center one threethree point four correction New York center one thirtytwo eighty seven. [ZNY 1245-1258 R39]
one thirty two eighty seven good day United uh ninetythree. [ZNY 1245-1258 R39]
good morning New York United ninety three with youtwenty five and a half for two eight oh. [ZNY 1250-1328R73]
United ninety three New York center good morning.[ZNY 1250-1328 R73]
United ninety three climb and maintain flight level threefive zero. [ZNY 1250-1328 R73]
leaving two eight for three five oh United ninety three.[ZNY 1250-1328 R73]
United ninety three starting to pick up some light chop atthirty five, any ride reports? [ZNY 1308-1328 RA73]
Time (UTC)SOURCE
INTRA-COCKPIT COMMUNICATION
CONTENT
Page 6 of 10
AIRCRAFT-TO-GROUND COMMUNICATION
Time (UTC)SOURCE CONTENT
1322:26RA73
1322:37UAL-93
1323:00ACARS
1323:05UAL-93
1323:14FKL-R
1323:56FKL-R
1324:00UAL-93
1324:20*UAL-93
the ah first complained I've had and United ah ninetythree, contact the Cleveland center now on one threethree point zero seven. [ZNY 1308-1328 RA73]
thrity three oh seven United ninety three. [ZNY 1308-1328RA73]
BEWARE ANY COCKPIT INTROUSION. . TWOAIRCRAFT IN NY, HIT TRADE CNTER BUILDS
morning Cleveland it's United ninety three with you atthree five oh ah there's some light chop here at thirtyfive any ride reports? [ZOB 1301-1331 Franklin-R]
an no just a little light chop nothing worse than thatUnited ninety three. [ZOB 1301-1331 Franklin-R]
United ninety three Cleveland one three three threeseven. [ZOB 1301-1331 Franklin-R]
one three three three seven good day United ninetythree. [ZOB 1301-1331 Franklin-R]
good morning Cleveland United ninety three is with youat three five oh intermittent light chop. [ZOB 1314-1333Lorain-R]
INTRA-COCKPIT COMMUNICATION
Page 7 of 10
AIRCRAFT-TO-GROUND COMMUNICATION
Time (UTC) Time (UTC)SOURCE CONTENT SOURCE
1325:06*UAL-93
1325:08*LOR-R
1327:25*LOR-R
1327:30*UAL-93
1328:16*UAL-93
1328:48*UAL-93
1329:14*LOR-R
1329:20*LOR-R
1329:34*LOR-R
CONTENT
United ninety three checking in three five oh. [ZOB1314-1333Lorain-R]
United ninety three three five zero roger. [ZOB 1314-1333Lorain-R]
United ninety three that traffic for you is one o'clocktwelve miles east bound three seven zero. [ZOB 1314-1 333 Lorain-R]
negative contact we're looking United ninety three.[ZOB 1314-1 333 Lorain-R]
*** (mayday) *** (hey get out of here) ***. [ZOB 1314-1 333 Lorain-R]
*** (get out of here) — (get out of here). [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]
United ninety three verify three five zero. [ZOB 1 314-1333 Lorain-R]
United ninety three verify you're at flight level ah threefive zero. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]
United ninety three verify you're level at three five zero.[ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]
Time (UTC)SOURCE
INTRA-COCKPIT COMMUNICATION
CONTENT
Page 8 of 10
AIRCRAFT-TO-GROUND COMMUNICATION
Time (UTC)SOURCE CONTENT
1329:40*LOR-R
1329:56LOR-R
1330:03*LOR-R
1330:58*LOR-R
1331:55*UAL-93
1332:05*LOR-R
1335:36LOR-R
1336:51LOR-R
United ninety three Cleveland. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]
United ninety three Cleveland. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]
United ninety three if you hear Cleveland center identplease. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]
United ninety three Cleveland if you hear the centerident. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]
*** please sit down, keep remaining seating, we have abomb on board, so ***. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R)
er uh calling Cleveland center you're unreadable sayagain slowly. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]
ah United ninety three if able * ah squawk trip please.[ZOB 1333-1344 Lorain-R]
[Cleveland center announces that UAL93 is turningsouth and east and climbing]. [ZOB 1333-1344 Lorain-R]
INTRA-COCKPIT COMMUNICATION
Page 9 of 10
AIRCRAFT-TO-GROUND COMMUNICATION
Time (UTC) Time (UTC)SOURCE CONTENT SOURCE
1339:10UAL-93
1339:19LOR-R
1339:24LOR-R
1340:01LOR-R
1340:12LOR-R
1341:01LOR-R
1341:36LOR-R
1345:29*LOR-R
CONTENT
ah this is the captain uh would like to all remain seatedthere is a bomb aboard and we go back to the airportand to have our demands so please remain quiet. [ZOB1333-1 344 Lorain-R]
okay thats United ninety three calling? [ZOB 1333-1344Lorain-R]
United ninety three understand you have a bomb onboard go ahead. [ZOB 1333-1344 Lorain-R]
United ninety three go ahead. [ZOB 1333-1344 Lorain-R]
United ninety three go ahead. [ZOB 1333-1344 Lorain-R]
United ninety three do you hear Cleveland center?[ZOB 1333-1 344 Lorain-R]
[Cleveland center announces loss of transponder signalfrom UAL93] [ZOB 1333-1344 Lorain-R]
United ninety three Cleveland do you still hear thecenter? [ZOB 1344-1400 Lorain-R]
Time (UTC)SOURCE
INTRA-COCKPIT COMMUNICATION
CONTENT
Page 10 of 10
AIRCRAFT-TO-GROUND COMMUNICATION
Time (UTC)SOURCE CONTENT
1345:35*LOR-R
1346:13*LOR-R
1347:28*LOR-R
1348:43LOR-R
United ninety three do you still hear Cleveland? [ZOB1344-1400 Lorain-R]
United ninety three United niner three do you hearCleveland? [ZOB 1344-1400 Lorain-R]
United ninety three United ninety three Cleveland. [ZOB1344-1 400 Lorain-R]
United ninety three United ninety three do you hearCleveland center. [ZOB 1344-1400 Lorain-R]
End of transcript
'times verified via FAA timecode reader.
1241:49
1241:53
1242:071242:411242:43
1243:00
1243:04
LC
UAL-93
LCLCUAL-93
UAL-93
E155
1243:12
1243:48
1243:52
1244:34
1244:38
1245:10
1245:13
1245:54
1246:00
1246:18
1246:23
1246:26
1248:03
1248:07
1248:41
1248:44
1249:31
1249:35
1250:37
1250:41
1250:57
1251:03
UAL- 9 3
E155
UAL- 9 3
E155
UAL- 9 3
E155
UAL- 9 3
E155
UAL- 9 3
UAL- 9 3
B43
UAL- 9 3
B43
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United ninety three wind three three zero at seven runway fourleft cleared for takeoff. [EWR 1235-1247 LC]cleared takeoff four left United ninety three. [EWR 1235-1247LC]United ninety three. [EWR 1235-1247 LC]United ninety three contact departure. [EWR 1235-1247 LC]going to departure United ninety three good day. [EWR 1235-1247LC]United ninety three fourteen hundred for twenty five hundred.[N90 1238-1256 Newark Dept.]United ninety three New York departure good morning radarcontact climb and maintain eight thousand and turn left headingthree three zero vector for ELIOT. [N90 1238-1256 Newark Dept.]eight thousand heading three three zero for ELIOT United ninetythree. [N90 1238-1256 Newark Dept.]United ninety three turn left heading uh two eight zero. [N901238-1256 Newark Dept.]left two eighty United ninety three. [N90 1238-1256 NewarkDept.]United ninety three climb and maintain one zero thousand. [N901238-1256 Newark Dept.]climb and maintain one zero thousand ten thousand United ninetythree. [N90 1238-1256 Newark Dept.]United ninety three do not exceed two five zero knots. [N901238-1256 Newark Dept.]not exceed two fifty United ninety three. [N90 1238-1256 NewarkDept.]United ninety three resume normal speed contact departure onethree five point three five. [N90 1238-1256 Newark Dept.]one three five three five normal speed good day United ninetythree. [N90 1238-1256 Newark Dept.]United ninety three is with you one zero thousand, normalspeed, heading two eighty. [N90 1238-1256 Liberty West]United ninety three departure good morning, climb maintain onefour thousand. [N90 1238-1256 Liberty West]climb maintain one four thousand United ninety three. [N901238-1256 Liberty West]United ninety three right turn heading of ah three one zero.[N90 1238-1256 Liberty West]right heading three one zero United ninety three. [N90 1238-1256 Liberty West]United ninety three climb maintain one six thousand. [N901238-1256 Liberty West]climb maintain one six thousand United ninety three. [N901238-1256 Liberty West]United ninety three climb maintain one seven thousand go directELIOT on course. [N90 1238-1256 Liberty West]up to one seven thousand direct ELIOT United ninety three.[N90 1238r1256 Liberty West]United ninety three contact New York center one three two pointone good day. [N90 1238-1256 Liberty West]thirty two one good day United ninety three. [N90 1238-1256Liberty West]and New York United ninety three with you one seven thousand.[ZNY 1245-1258 R39]United ninety three New York center climb and maintain flightlevel two eight zero. [ZNY 1245-1258 R39]
1251:07 UAL-931254:09 R391254:12 UAL-931254:53 R39
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maintain two eight oh United ninety three. [ZNY 1245-1258 R39]United ninety three cleared direct DEMO. [ZNY 1245-1258 R39]direct DEMO United ninety three. [ZNY 1245-1258 R39]United ninety three contact New York center one three threepoint four correction New York center one thirty two eightyseven. [ZNY 1245-1258 R39]one thirty two eighty seven good day United uh ninety three.[ZNY 1245-1258 R39]good morning New York United ninety three with you twenty fiveand a half for two eight oh. [ZNY 1250-1328 R73]United ninety three New York center good morning. [ZNY 1250-1328 R73]United ninety three climb and maintain flight level three fivezero. [ZNY 1250-1328 R73]leaving two eight for three five oh United ninety three. [ZNY1250-1328 R73]United ninety three starting to pick up some light chop atthirty five, any ride reports? [ZNY 1308-1328 RA73]the ah first complained I've had and United ah ninety three,contact the Cleveland center now on one three three point zeroseven. [ZNY 1308-1328 RA73]thrity three oh seven United ninety three. [ZNY 1308-1328RA73]BEWARE ANY COCKPIT INTROUSION. . TWO AIRCRAFT IN NY, HIT TRADECNTER BUILDSmorning Cleveland it's United ninety three with you at threefive oh ah there's some light chop here at thirty five any ridereports? [ZOB 1301-1331 Franklin-R]an no just a little light chop nothing worse than that Unitedninety three. [ZOB 1301-1331 Franklin-R]United ninety three Cleveland one three three three seven.[ZOB 1301-1331 Franklin-R]one three three three seven good day United ninety three. [ZOB1301-1331 Franklin-R]good morning Cleveland United ninety three is with you at threefive oh intermittent light chop. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]United ninety three checking in three five oh. [ZOB 1314-1333Lorain-R]United ninety three three five zero roger. [ZOB 1314-1333Lorain-R]United ninety three that traffic for you is one o'clock twelvemiles east bound three seven zero. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]negative contact we're looking United ninety three. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]*** (mayday) *** (hey get out of here) ***Lorain-R]*** (get out of here) *** (get out of here). [ZOB 1314-1333Lorain-R]United ninety three verify three five zero. [ZOB 1314-1333Lorain-R]United ninety three verify you're at flight level ah three fivezero. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]United ninety three verify you're level at three five zero.[ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]United ninety three Cleveland. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]United ninety three Cleveland. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]
[ZOB 1314-1333
1330:03 LOR-R United ninety three if you hear Cleveland center ident please.[ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]
1330:58 LOR-R United ninety three Cleveland if you hear the center ident.[ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]
1331:55 UAL-93 *** please sit down, keep remaining seating, we have a bomb onboard, so ***. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]
1332:05 LOR-R er uh calling Cleveland center you're unreadable say againslowly. [ZOB 1314-1333 Lorain-R]
1335:36 LOR-R ah United ninety three if able * ah squawk trip please. [ZOB1333-1344 Lorain-R]
1336:51 LOR-R [Cleveland center announces that UAL93 is turning south andeast and climbing]. [ZOB 1333-1344 Lorain-R]
1339:10 UAL-93 ah this is the captain uh would like to all remain seated thereis a bomb aboard and we go back to the airport and to have ourdemands so please remain quiet. [ZOB 1333-1344 Lorain-R]
1339:19 LOR-R okay thats United ninety three calling? [ZOB 1333-1344 Lorain-R]
1339:24 LOR-R United ninety three understand you have a bomb on board goahead. [ZOB 1333-1344 Lorain-R]
1340:01 LOR-R United ninety three go ahead. [ZOB 1333-1344 Lorain-R]1340:12 LOR-R United ninety three go ahead. [ZOB 1333-1344 Lorain-R]1341:01 LOR-R United ninety three do you hear Cleveland center? [ZOB 1333-
1344 Lorain-R]1341:36 LOR-R [Cleveland center announces loss of transponder signal from
UAL93] [ZOB 1333-1344 Lorain-R]1345:29 LOR-R United ninety three Cleveland do you still hear the center?
[ZOB 1344-1400 Lorain-R]1345:35 LOR-R United ninety three do you still hear Cleveland? [ZOB 1344-
1400 Lorain-R]1346:13 LOR-R United ninety three United niner three do you hear Cleveland?
[ZOB 1344-1400 Lorain-R]1347:28 LOR-R United ninety three United ninety three Cleveland. [ZOB 1344-
1400 Lorain-R]1348:43 LOR-R United ninety three United ninety three do you hear Cleveland
center. [ZOB 1344-1400 Lorain-R]
OFFICIAL USEONLY
United Airlines Flight 93 - Flight Profile
The following profile of United Airlines Flight 93 is based on data from the flight datarecorder (FDR) recovered from the crash site, as well as radar data obtained from theFederal Aviation Administration's Air Route Traffic Control Centers and the U.S. AirForce 84th Radar Evaluation Squadron. Figure 1 shows the flight path of the aircraft fromtake off at Newark, NJ to the crash site near Johnstown, PA. Figure 2 shows the aircraft'saltitude profile for the 1 hour and 21 minute duration of the flight.
United flight 93 departed Newark, NJ at 8:42 am (point A in Figures 1 and 2) and reachedits assigned cruising altitude of 35,000 feet at about 9:02 am (B). The flight appearsnormal until a brief descent of about 600 feet starting at 9:28 (C). The words "get out ofhere" and sounds of a struggle were recorded on the air traffic control radio at FAA'sCleveland Center facility at this time. The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) onboard theairplane began providing sounds from the cockpit at approximately 9:32. At 9:34 (D) theairplane starts to climb from 35,000 feet, and shortly thereafter begins a left turn to thesoutheast. The airplane maintained a maximum altitude of 41,000 feet for about 2 minutesand then started descending at about 9:39 (E). Radar stations stopped receivingtransponder returns fromUAL93 at approximately 9:41.
There was a brief interruption in the descent at 9:46 (F) as the airplane climbed from19,000 feet to 20,500 feet before resuming its descent. At about 9:57 the airplane starteda left turn to the east. Just before 9:59 (G) the airplane was at 5,000 feet when about 2minutes of rapid, full left and right control wheel inputs resulted in multiple 30 degree rollsto the left and right. From approximately 10:00 to 10:02 (H) there were four distinctcontrol column inputs that caused the airplane to pitch nose-up (climb) and nose-down(dive) aggressively. During this time the airplane climbed to about 10,000 feet whileturning to the right. The airplane then pitched nose-down and rolled to the right inresponse to flight control inputs, and impacted the ground at about 490 knots (563 mph)in a 40 degree nose-down, inverted attitude. The time of impact was 10:03:11.
Figure 1. UA-93 Radar Ground Track
A - UAL 93 takes off from Newark, NJ at 0842 EDT.B - UAL 93 levels off at assigned altitude of 35,000 ft.C - 600 foot deviation from assigned altitude.D - Starts climb to 41,000 feet, then turns towards Southeast.E - At max altitude of 41,000 feet; xponder returns cease 2 min. later.F - Brief interruption in descent.G - Evidence of struggle on CVR; aircraft starts climbing.H - Aircraft noses down and starts rapid descent.I - Aircraft aircraft impacts the ground inverted and at high speed.
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Figure 2. UA-93 Altitude Profile
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-UAL 93 takes off from Newark, NJ at 0842 EOT.- UAL 93 levels off at assigned altitude of 35,000 ft.- 600 foot deviation from assigned altitude.- Starts climb to 41,000 feet, then turns towards Southeast.- At max altitude of 41,000 feet; xponder returns cease 2 min. later.- Brief interruption in descent.- Evidence of struggle on CVR; aircraft starts climbing.- Aircraft noses down and starts rapid descent.Aircraft aircraft impacts the ground inverted and at high speed.
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Eastern Daylight Time, HH/ SS (= UTC - 4 Hours)10:00:00 10:10:00
