Response and Investigation

Minutes after the crash, first responders and emergency response centers arrived on the scene.

NPS

Quick Facts

Location:

Flight 93 National Memorial

Significance:

Stop 6 of Story Tour

Minutes after the crash, first responders from nine volunteer fire departments and emergency response centers arrived on the scene, along with the Pennsylvania State Police. The State Police knew the crash was the result of a hijacking because just minutes before Flight 93 crashed, a passenger called Westmoreland County 911 and reported the hijacking. When troopers found fragments of a United Airlines inflight magazine on the ground, they knew they were looking at remains of the hijacked plane.  

The volunteers from the Shanksville Fire Department were the first firefighters on scene and continued to provide support throughout the investigation. The American Red Cross and Salvation Army distributed food, water, and supplies to the responders. The FBI established a command post in buildings that once stood on the rise beyond the Wall of Names. The FBI’s investigation of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks was “the largest investigation in FBI history.” More than 1,500 personnel worked under the direction of the FBI at this site. Seven different FBI Evidence Response Teams (ERTs) were involved. The ERTs combed the area in systematic sweeps. The crater was excavated to an area measuring 85 feet x 85 feet, and 27 to 40 feet deep. Soil removed from the crater was racked and sifted for evidence, and then returned to the crater. The sandstone boulder marks the approximate area where the excavation occurred. The wreckage consisted of pieces of twisted metal, the landing gear including tires, seat frames, bits of charred paper, and remnants of luggage, personal belongings and clothing. Most of the pieces of wreckage were the size of a notebook or smaller. The largest pieces recovered were parts of the plane’s two engines and a piece of fuselage. The large fuselage piece was found near the woods south of the crater. Debris was recovered from Indian Lake, 1.5 miles away, and from the lawns of nearby homes and farmer’s fields. Enough remains were recovered to identify everyone who was on board the plane using dental records, fingerprints, or DNA analysis. They were also able to find personal effects including jewelry and items of clothing. These were returned to the families.  

The investigation was a global effort utilizing resources and personnel from a variety of federal, state, and local agencies. All 56 FBI field offices had personnel working on leads. Evidence, including identification cards and a bank card belonging to the hijackers was found at the Flight 93 crash site. This helped the FBI quickly uncover the details of how the attacks were financed. The field investigation ended on September 24, 2001. In early October the crater was back-filled, topsoil was spread on top, and was seeded with grass and wildflowers.  

While the investigation was over, the process of memorialization was just beginning.  

• Response and Investigation

  
  

  Minutes after the crash, first responders from nine volunteer fire departments and emergency response centers arrived on the scene, along with the Pennsylvania State Police.

  Date created:

  08/31/2024

  Audio Transcript

  Minutes after the crash, first responders from nine volunteer fire departments and emergency response centers arrived on the scene, along with the Pennsylvania State Police. The State Police knew the crash was the result of a hijacking because just minutes before Flight 93 crashed, a passenger called Westmoreland County 911 and reported the hijacking. When troopers found fragments of a United Airlines inflight magazine on the ground, they knew they were looking at remains of the hijacked plane.  

  The volunteers from the Shanksville Fire Department were the first firefighters on scene and continued to provide support throughout the investigation. The American Red Cross and Salvation Army distributed food, water, and supplies to the responders.  The FBI established a command post in buildings that once stood on the rise beyond the Wall of Names. The FBI’s investigation of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks was “the largest investigation in FBI history.” More than 1,500 personnel worked under the direction of the FBI at this site. Seven different FBI Evidence Response Teams (ERTs) were involved. The ERTs combed the area in systematic sweeps. The crater was excavated to an area measuring 85 feet x 85 feet, and 27 to 40 feet deep. Soil removed from the crater was racked and sifted for evidence, and then returned to the crater.  The sandstone boulder marks the approximate area where the excavation occurred. The wreckage consisted of pieces of twisted metal, the landing gear including tires, seat frames, bits of charred paper, and remnants of luggage, personal belongings and clothing.  Most of the pieces of wreckage were the size of a notebook or smaller. The largest pieces recovered were parts of the plane’s two engines and a piece of fuselage. The large fuselage piece was found near the woods south of the crater. Debris was recovered from Indian Lake, 1.5 miles away, and from the lawns of nearby homes and farmer’s fields. Enough remains were recovered to identify everyone who was on board the plane using dental records, fingerprints, or DNA analysis. They were also able to find personal effects including jewelry and items of clothing. These were returned to the families.  

  The investigation was a global effort utilizing resources and personnel from a variety of federal, state, and local agencies. All 56 FBI field offices had personnel working on leads. Evidence, including identification cards and a bank card belonging to the hijackers was found at the Flight 93 crash site. This helped the FBI  

  quickly uncover the details of how the attacks were financed. The field investigation ended on September 24, 2001. In early October the crater was back-filled, topsoil was spread on top, and was seeded with grass and wildflowers.  

  While the investigation was over, the process of memorialization was just beginning.