Memorandum Cleveland ARTCC Quality Assurance Office 326 East Lorain Street Oberlin OH 44074 subject ACTION: September 11, 2001 : Commission Data Request
From:
Support Manager, ZOB-505
Quality Assurance,
Date:
Reply to
October 14, 2003
R Herak: 440-774-0505 FAX: X0660
TO: ADA-2, Shirley Miller Air T r a f f i c Manager, Gary Klingler
This is the second part of the 9/11 Commission' request. The Cleveland ARTCC has enclosed all voice tapes from September 11, 2001 from the Operations Manager-in-Charge position and the Facility Traffic Management Unit. Some tapes are in-accordance-with the original request 0800-1400 EST. Some tapes are in-accordance-with the revised request from the October 10, 2003 TELCON, 0800-1200 EST. In order to ensure accuracy, the tapes are labeled by the UTC time, 1200-1800Z or 1200-1600Z. The facility has changed taping practices and positions since September 11, 2001. We attempted, to the best of our ability, to reconstruct the positions and obtain cassette tapes from the original reels. Some positions that are recorded today were not recorded on September 11, 2001. If I can be of any further assistance, please advise me at 440-7740505.
Robert
BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF INFORMATION RECORDED FOR 9/11 COMMISSION. Tape 5, Channel 31 - Is an outside (not VSCS) phone line located in the Traffic Management Unit (TMU) - Ext. 0428: 1303 - Off duty Traffic Management Officer (TMO) calls regarding breaking news. Advises second aircraft hit tower. 1305 - Medical department calls re: Traffic Management Supervisor (TMS) physical. 1310 - Operations Manager In Charge (OMIC) phones home. 1322 - Off duty Traffic Management Coordinator (TMC) calls in. 1329 - Off duty TMC calls in. 1337 - United Airline official calls for information regarding UAL93. 1355 - OMIC calls Cleveland Tower (CLE ATCT) Air Traffic Manager regarding status of DAL1989 - possible hijack. 1419 - Continental (COA) airlines called trying to verify the location of certain aircraft. 1423 - Akron-Canton Tower (CAK ATCT) provided a cell phone number where they can be reached. 1445 - Cleveland Center (ZOB) National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) President called for briefing by OMIC. 1453 - Call placed to Area VI regarding Waterski 5284. 1505 - Call from TMU staff that had been evacuated to parking lot. 1508 - Off Duty TMC calls in. 1519 - American Eagle called for help in locating EGF5073. 1527 - Call from ZOB personnel waiting outside to get in. 1531-TMC Call in. 1539 - Evacuated personnel call for an update. 1544 - Area VI called to inquire about unknown traffic at FL310. 1605 - Doug Gould called for a status update. 1608 - Open line between Doug Gould, Wayne Pierce, and Indianapolis Center (ZID) OMIC. 1631 - The chief pilot for STAT-Medevac called for information on operating lifeflight procedures. 1712 - Toronto Centre (ZYZ) called regarding a DC 10 needing to land at Detroit Metro (DTW). They were referred to Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC). 1716 - ATCSCC asked for a supervisor to discuss UAL93 and others. Tape 5, Channel 33 - TMU Outside Line - An outside phone line located in the TMU. 1328 - Call from Area 7 Sup to TMC regarding ground stops and diversions around New York Center (ZNY). 1345 - Area VII reported an aircraft has hit the Pentagon. 1417 - A TMC called home regarding childcare. 1446 - Off duty TMC called in. 1521 - Call from Area VII Supervisor.
Tape 5, Channel 34 - TMU Outside Line - Ext. 0449 1210 - TMC called DTW ATCT regarding departure restrictions. 1224 - A TMC called two Areas regarding Laguardia (LGA) flow restrictions. 1241 - Area V questions reasons for flow control reroutes and is advised fix balancing. 1252 - CLE ATCT called ZOB to ask if anyone had heard about an aircraft hitting the WTC. 1340 - DTW TMS called to ask how many aircraft are returning to DTW. 1400 - TMS calls CLE ATCT regarding DAL1989. Advises company and pilot say they are not being hijacked and that there is no bomb on board. 1404 - CLE ATCT confirmed they were talking to DAL1989. 1407 - A TMC requested CLE ATCT advise when DAL1989 is on the ground. CLE suggested aircraft holding might want to divert to CAK. 1434 - CLE ATCT is asked if they can accept more diverting aircraft and they reply in the affirmative. 1438 - DTW TMS called to advise they have more room for diverting aircraft. 1510 - A TMS took a call from Northwest (NWA) trying to locate NWA1539. 1516 -NWA 1539 located. 1527 - Took calls from NWA regarding NWA11 from Frankfort, Germany that is not going to be allowed to land at YYZ or YUL. 1531 - ZOB advised NWA to call the ATCSCC before being advised that YYZ would accept the aircraft. 1600 - Called CLE ATCT regarding unknown target. Was advised it is a police helicopter. 1637 - Call from Paul Triponey regarding current procedures. 1642 - Call from ROC ATCT regarding lifeflight helicopter wanting to return to base from a local hospital. 1647 - Area VI coordinated a lifeflight. 1705 - A Captain from Selfridge Air National Guard Base (MTC) called to coordinate a Coast Guard Helicopter requesting a search and rescue training flight. Request denied. 1709 - A LT CDR from MTC called to find out why they couldn't fly. Was directed to call the ATCSCC. 1713 - DTW ATCT called for more regarding NWA11. This aircraft is going to land at Hamilton, ONT (YHM). 1725 - Medevac flight from PIT to Somerset County coordinated by PIT. 1728 - Coordinated active rescue mission for Coast Guard. 1739 - Johnstown Tower (1ST ATCT) relayed a report from TROOPERS saying there are news aircraft above the crash site and wanted to know if they had permission to be there. 1742 - JST ATCT called re: lifeguard flight procedures. Tape 6, Channel 11 - West Enroute Spacing Position (ESP) • 1200 - Approximately 1255 Routine flow control coordination. • 1258 Received inquiry regarding restrictions into New York Center (ZNY) due a crash into the World Trade Center.
• 13 00 - Approximately 1330 Routine coordination. ZYZ requests information regarding the New York situation. Buffalo (BUF ATCT) request for departure to Baltimore is denied. An order received to ground stop the entire system. • Approximately 13 3 0 - 1400 Questions received regarding "Lifeguard" flights and VFR flights. A caller is advised that it is a national emergency. Call to ATCSCC advises UAL93 has a bomb on board and the aircraft is climbing. ATCSCC is asked if they wanted the military to scramble on UAL93 and were advised that that decision would be made at a different level. Received information regarding the flight of N4 carrying the US Attorney General. ZOB advised Chicago Center (ZAU) that DAL1989 is also a hijacked aircraft headed in the direction of Chicago. ZOB advised Washington Center (ZDC) regarding UAL93 over PIT estimating they aircraft was 25 minutes from Washington DC. ZOB reports UAL93 has been confirmed at 7500 feet by another aircraft. • 1400 - Approximately 1430 ZOB reports UAL93 is 20 miles southwest of Johnstown (1ST) and provides updates on the direction of flight. ZOB reports that the transponder of UAL93 came back on. Received a report of an emergency locator transmitter over Ann Arbor, MI. • Approximately 1430 DTW ATCT was asked if they had room for more aircraft. Some Lifeguard flights are released. Request for information on Waterski flight 5284. • 1500 - Approximately 1530 Approximately 1530-1600 Asked ZYZ for information on ACA3185. Aircraft located at Toronto, ONT (YYZ). • 1600 - Approximately 1630 ZOB requested information regarding a VFR target in adjacent airspace. ZOB advises caller that all aircraft in the air need to provide their callsign and have a discreet beacon code. • Approximately 1630 - 1700 TOL ATCT calls regarding fighters departing for Chicago. ERI ATCT called regarding the Governor of PA flight to CXY aboard helicopter Trooper6. • 1700-1800 No transmissions.
Tape 6, Channel 15 - East Enroute Spacing Position (ESP) • 1200 - Approximately 1230 Routine flow control coordination. • Approximately 1230-1300 ZNY called to advise of a situation involving AAL11 advising they had lost communications and radar contact with the aircraft. Also provided last known position reports. Another call received advising that they think AAL11 crashed into the World Trade Center. • 13 00 - Approximately 1330 ATCSCC advises to ground stop all traffic destined for ZNY. ZYZ calls for a list of ZNY airports. Numerous aircraft reroutes coordinated. ATCSCC advises to watch DAL1989 because it fits the profile of the other hijacked aircraft. ZNY will be ATC zero for a long time. A ground stop was placed on aircraft destined for Washington D.C. area airports. Approximately 1330-1400 All traffic ground stopped until further advised. An inquiry received for information on AAL11. All facilities instructed to inventory traffic for unusual situations or missing aircraft. ZOB advises ATCSCC that UAL93 may have a bomb on board. Also provides details on the flight, current flight behavior, and transmissions heard on the air to ground frequency. Received information on the flight of N4 carrying the US Attorney General. • 1400 - Approximately 1430 A report is received from an unknown source advising the UAL93 has 3 hijackers aboard with knives and bombs. More coordination regarding DAL1989 and UAL 93. Inquiries made concerning MEP411. Located at CMH. • Approximately 1430 - 1500 CLE and DTW have room for more aircraft. More coordination regarding N4. Coordination regarding AAL77 - Status Unknown. ZOB is advised that N4 refused to land. The ATCSCC stated that if N4 gets into the Washington Area he becomes a target. Further clarification indicates that the Air Force has orders to shoot down aircraft in the Washington area. N4 is approved to proceed to Richmond, VA or Philadelphia, PA. Coordination regarding the time and position where contact was lost with AAL77. N4 is requesting a fighter escort. • 1500-1800 ZOB advises they are evacuating due to a small aircraft flying over the facility. This line continuously recorded a national telecon run by the ATCSCC.
Tape 6, Channel 17 - Cleveland Arrival Sequencing Position (ASP) • 1200-1300 Routine Coordination. 1307 - A caller requesting release of a departure to Philadelphia (PHL) is advised of the ground stop to ZNY. 1329 — Rochester Tower (ROC ATCT) calls to ask if we are in a state of emergency. 1335 - Coordinate reroutes around ZNY. 1349 - Coordination regarding N4. 1409 - Coordination with CLE ATCT regarding their capacity to accept more diverting flights. 1418 - CLE ATCT advised that DAL1989 is on the ground. 1434 - PIT ATCT asked for capacity information. 1451 - Buffalo Tower (BUF ATCT) asked about military flights. 1522 - CLE ATCT advises they have made contact with a previously unknown VFR aircraft. Tape 6, Channel21 - Detroit Arrival Sequencing Position (ASP) • 1200 - Approximately 1330 Few routine flow control coordination. • Approximately 1330-1400 Area III advised that ZNY may be closed all day. ZYZ is advised that everything destined for the United States is to be ground stopped. 1410 - PIT ATCT called to inquire if it was DAL1989 that had turned toward their facility. They are informed that it was UAL93. 1417 - DTW ATCT inquired as to how many diverting aircraft they should expect. 1418 - CLE ATCT inquired as to how many diverting aircraft they should expect. 1419 - Information requested for COA428. 1424 - ZOB asked ZAU to try to locate MEP411. 1442 - Asked DTW ATCT for information on UAL641. 1445-UAL641isatDTW. 1451 - Inquiry to locate Waterski flight 5284. 1548 - CLE ATCT is asked for information on EGF73. No information available. Tape 6, Channel 39 - Operations Manager In Charge Radar (OMIC) This position was used by the OMIC to monitor LOR-R after the hijacking became known. This tape has the same information as the LOR-Radar tape beginning at 1329 and continuing through 1400. • 1400 - 1437 monitor of LOR Radar frequencies. • 1437 - 1500 conversations with and about N4 attempting to return the US Attorney General to Washington D.C. • 1500 - 1600 - No pertinent transmissions.
Tape 6, Channel 41 - Operations Manager In Charge - VSCS. Used mostly by Flight Service Stations to call the OMIC with flight information. Also, occasionally used by Towers, Centers, Northeast Air Defense Sector (NEADS). 1215 - CLE AFSS calls with information on a change to a NOTAM at PCW. 1356 - Altoona AFSS calls to advise that JST is closed. 13 57-1ST reopened. 1406 - Received report of a bomb threat at CLE AFSS. 1410 - Received an inquiry from Boston Center (ZBW) regarding N440S. 1531 — Coordination with ZYZ regarding NWA51. 1543 — Call received regarding Wayne Pierce reporting to ZOB. 1555 - Inquiry as to whether EGF382 could fly to DTW. Tape 6, Channel 45 - TMU Outside Line - Ext. 0349. • 1310 - CLE ATCT called to confirm ZNY is ATC Zero. • 1330-1400 A TMS requested an open line to the ATCSCC to brief them on UAL93. He advised that the transponder on UAL93 had stopped and that something was said about a bomb. He advised that we were tracking a primary target thought to be UAL93 The TMS relayed an inquiry from the ZOB Air Traffic Manager as to whether we have military aircraft in the air. The ATCSCC advised they had been in contact with their local military cell and that there were other conferences going on involving the military. ZOB advised that the target they believe to be UAL93 is headed towards Washington DC, about 28 minutes out. Trying to confirm. Relayed unconfirmed report that PIT is ATC zero. ZOB advised ATCSCC reports of another confirmed hijacking involving DAL 1989. ZOB asked if ATCSCC knew of anyone tracking UAL93. No. Our best guess is that UAL93 is 20 miles southeast of EWC. At this time all control facilities were instructed to put all aircraft on the ground at any available airport. PIT evacuated as UAL93 flew over the facility. ZOB relayed a report of military activity. ZOB advised that the pilot of DAL1989 is saying they are not being interfered with. Asked the ATCSCC to confirm with Delta. Update position of UAL93. Delta says DAL1989 is not being interfered with and is diverting to CLE as a precaution. Inquire of ATCSCC what to do with DAL1989 when it lands. Passed a report by VFR aircraft: UAL93 is at 7500 MSL. UAL93 turning northwest-bound and reported to be waving wings. More updates of UAL93 changes of direction. • 1400 UTC Reported that UAL93 transponder was turned back on. Inquiries received regarding location of other aircraft. ZOB reports all contact lost with UAL93 and they have received reports of black smoke. ZOB reported that CLE ATCT is handling DAL1989 as if it were being hijacked. ZOB reported confirmation of downed aircraft with location information. ATCSCC asked for an update on PIT ATCT.
The ATCSCC is gathering information on usable airports with room for more aircraft. Inquiry trying to locate MEP411. Aircraft located - Landing at Columbus, OH. • 1430 ZOB received a call from adjacent facility that N4 was refusing a clearance to land and was continuing on to Washington DC. ZOB asked ZAU for information on AAL77. ZAU advises AAL77 contact lost in ZID airspace. Lansing (LAN AFSS) relayed a pilot report about the transmissions regarding a bomb. ZID confirms time and location of loss of AAL77 transponder. Search for Waterski 5284. Advised ZID that N4 has been approved for flight to Richmond, VA. • 1600-1630 Numerous calls requesting approval for air ambulance flights. • 1630-1700 ERIATCT called regarding flight of PA Governor from ERI to CXY. Some controversy after this flight departs, finally allowed to proceed. Monitor of ATCSCC hotline to field questions and provide answers. • 1700-1800 Calls to ZYZ regarding Northwest Airlines flights from overseas. ZOB took several calls regarding location of diverted aircraft.
Memorandum Cleveland ARTCC Quality Assurance Office 326 East Lorain Street Oberlin OH 44074 subject ACTION: September 11, 2001 Commission Data Request
Date:
October 8, 2003
Reply
From:
Support Manager, Quality Assurance, ZOB-505
to A"?;
R Herak: 440-774-0505 FAX: X 0 6 6 0
TO: ADA-2, Shirley Miller Air Traffic Manager, Gary Klingler
I have enclosed all of the data that was in the UAL93 accident file. Additionally, I have enclosed all data from the facility Quality Assurance office from UAL 93 and 9/11/01 and the SAR tapes from Airway Facility from 9/11/01. The facility has begun taping all communications from the Traffic Management Unit and Operations Manager-in-Charge position from September 11, 2001 from 0800-1400 local times. This data will be forwarded, as it becomes available. Information gathered from employees that were working on September 11, 2001 will be forwarded as soon as it is available. I have attached an index of what I enclosed. If I can be of any further assistance, please advise me at 440-7740505.
\y
Robert G. Herak
10/8/2
INDEX #
mm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11A 11B 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
SENT 10-8-03 ITEM ACCIDENT FILE ACCIDENT PACKAGE DART DART AF 1 7 MINUTES AT AIR SECTOR FLOPPY DISK 1 UAL93 DATA FLOPPY DISK 2 UAL 93 DATA SATORI DAT TAPE 7X ORIGINAL TRANSCRIPT COPIES DATA GIVEN TO COMMISION BEFORE AND DURING VISIT 10-1
DART/NTAP COPIES DART/NTAP COPIES DART/NTAP COPIES DART/NTAP COPIES DART/NTAP COPIES DART/NTAP COPIES DART/NTAP COPIES DART/NTAP COPIES DART/NTAP COPIES DART/NTAP COPIES DART/NTAP COPIES DART/NTAP COPIES VOICE TAPES FROM ACCIDENT FILE, INDEX INSIDE
1X 2X 3X 4X 5-AX 5-BX
POSITION
TIMEZ
FKL-R FKL-R LOR-R LOR-R LOR-R LOR-RA
1301-1336 1301-1336 1319-1333 1333-1344 1344-1400 1344-1400
10/8/2
5-CX 5-DX 6X 7X 8-AX 8-BX 9X 10X 11X 12X
LOR-RA LOR-RA AGC-R AGC-RA IRL-R IRL-RA IHD-R IHD-R WMD-R MOS
13X
COMPOSITE
LOR-R LOR-R LOR-R IHD-R 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32
SAR TAPE OB7329 SAR TAPE OB7330 SAR TAPE OB7331 SAR TAPE OB7332 SAR TAPE OB7333 SAR TAPE OB7334 SAR TAPE OB7335 SAR TAPE OB7336 SAR TAPE OB7337 SAR TAPE OB7328 "F1 DRIVE ACCIDENT FILE
1333-1344 1319-1333 1338-1401 1354-1405 1340-1418 1335-1416 1358-1410 1409-1421 1348-1409 1401-1440