Seconds From Disaster Season 1 Episode 13 Pentagon 9/11

On September 11, 2001, the United States suffered one of the deadliest attacks in its history, as terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners and turned them into weapons against the American people. Of these, one struck the Pentagon building, killing 184 people and injuring another 106. The damage inflicted by the attack was massive, with entire sections of the building completely destroyed.

In this episode of Seconds From Disaster, we explore what happened that day, how the terrorists carried out the attack, and why the Pentagon was targeted. Using eyewitness accounts, archive footage, and expert analysis, we piece together the events leading up to the fateful moment when Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon building.

We begin by looking at the preparations made by the hijackers, tracing their journey from their homes in the Middle East to the United States. We see how they trained as pilots, and how they carefully planned their attack to cause maximum damage. We also learn about the intelligence failures that allowed the terrorists to slip through the cracks and enter the country undetected.

As the day of the attack approaches, tensions mount in the United States, as government agencies work to prevent any attempts at terrorism. However, the hijackers manage to slip past security measures at Logan International Airport in Boston, where they board American Airlines Flight 77.

The show then shifts to the perspective of the passengers on board Flight 77, many of whom were business people, government employees, and military personnel. We see how they went about their usual routines, unaware of the danger that was approaching. As the hijackers take control of the plane, passengers make frantic calls to their loved ones, as they struggle to come to terms with what is happening.

Meanwhile, radar operators are tracking the flight, and the military is put on alert. A number of fighter jets are scrambled to intercept the plane, but they are too late to prevent it from hitting the Pentagon building.

The aftermath of the attack is devastating, as firefighters and other emergency personnel rush to the scene to provide aid. We see how the building's structure is compromised, and how rescue workers have to navigate the debris and flames in order to find survivors. As the hours tick by, the full scope of the tragedy becomes apparent, as more and more bodies are recovered from the wreckage.

Throughout the episode, we hear from experts on aviation, engineering, and terrorism, who provide context and analysis on what happened. They discuss the vulnerabilities in the U.S. security system at the time, and the changes that have been made since. They also examine the psychological impact of the attack, and how it has affected the way Americans see the world.

Seconds From Disaster: Pentagon 9/11 is a powerful and harrowing episode that provides unparalleled insight into one of the defining moments in modern history. Through expert analysis, archive footage, and firsthand accounts, we gain a better understanding of the tragedy of that day, and the lessons that have been learned since.